The recent Batang Kali landslide tragedy, which happened on Friday (16 December) tore down a hillside just above Father’s Organic Farm claiming 31 lives, including 13 children.
At around 4:53 pm on 24 December, the last victim, believed to be that of 11-year-old Eng Shao Qi was found.
Photo via BERNAMA
The search and rescue (SAR) operation was made up of 250 members from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia (JBPM), the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) and the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART).
Not to forget, the rescue team also included 11 canines from the (K9) dog detection unit, who has also been tirelessly working to search for landslide victims.
Rescuers were seen in photos hugging each other after finding the last victim, marking the end of a long and hard 9 days search.
Praises and gratitude has since been pouring in for the rescuers, with Malaysians taking to their social media accounts to thank the heroes for their hard work in saving and finding the victims of the landslide.
The landslide is said to be Malaysia’s second worst disaster in terms of fatalities, after the Highland Towers condominium collapse in 1993 which claimed 48 lives, according to the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART).
Our condolences go out to all the families who have lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy.
Thank you, Malaysian heroes, for going above and beyond and risking your own safety to bring families back together!
