Malaysia landslide kills at least 21

Search under way for missing people after disaster at farm campsite

At least 21 people were killed in a pre-drawn landslide at a campsite near Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Rescuers were looking for 12 people still missing by nightfall after the landslide at a farm near Batang Kali, not far from the Malaysian capital, officials said.

The landslide occurred shortly after 2am, officials said. Emergency services said they arrived at the scene half an hour after the first distress call.

There were 94 people caught in the landslide but 61 were safe, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

The Selangor fire department said the land slid from a height of 30 metres.

Two of the victims are believed to be a mother and child who were found in an embrace buried under layers of earth, the department's director told reporters.

The campsite affected is unlicensed and its operators may be punished if taken to court, said local government development minister Nga Kor Ming.

Malaysia is vulnerable to natural disasters, including landslides often caused by heavy rain. Its population is more likely to be affected by floods than any other nation in South-east Asia, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

A year ago, about 21,000 people were displaced by flooding from torrential rain in seven states across the country.

Four people were killed in March after heavy rain caused a landslide, which buried homes near Kuala Lumpur.