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Last Victim Of Batang Kali Landslide Found, A Recap Of The 16 Dec Tragedy

Last Victim Of Batang Kali Landslide Found, A Recap Of The 16 Dec Tragedy

The last victim of the 16 December landslide in Batang Kali was found in a sleeping bag on Christmas Eve.

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The body of the last victim, Eng Shao Qi, was found in a sleeping bag at 4.53pm in Sector A of the Batang Kali landslide on 24 December 2022.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Wan Md Razali Wan Md Ismail said the team finally found the body after spotting fluid flowing at a bank of earth.

NST reported that one of the rescue personnel initially suspected it was body fluid but found the victim in the sleeping bag upon digging.

The sleeping bag was found in a 1.5m depth of the four-metre bank with the male body still in perfect condition but starting to decompose.

Shao Qi, a Year 5 student of SJKC Mun Choong, was the son of the school’s canteen operator. His father, Gary Eng, and his sister also died in the landslide.

Wan Md Razali said out of 31 victims, 20 bodies were found in Sector A, one in Sector B, and 10 bodies in Sector C.

Hulu Selangor police chief Superintendent Suffian Abdullah said the search and rescue (SAR) operation will now continue for flushing and investigation at the site.

A total of 92 victims were caught in the 16 December landslide at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite and only 61 survived.

What happened on 16 December?

On 15 December, 92 people which also included teachers and staff of SJKC Mun Choong and their families camped at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali, Gohtong Jaya.

The deadly landslide struck the campsite around 2.30am on 16 December. Upon receiving the distress call at 2.42am, Bernama reported that the search and rescue teams (SAR) reached the scene at 3.04am.

According to Free Malaysia Today, first responders said the chaotic situation saw survivors signalling to rescuers with torchlights.

The landslide site at Father’s Organic Farm in Batang Kali. Image: TRP File

While the search for the victims went on, there were controversies regarding the campsite’s operating licence or permit.

Local government development minister Nga Kor Ming alleged that the campsite operated without a licence.

At the same time, the Hulu Selangor Municipal Council (MPHS) said although there was no specific license for campsites, it was the business operator’s responsibility to file an application with the local council and ensure their business is in line with approved plans.

The operator of Father’s Organic Farm, Frankie Tan, claimed that various government bodies told him it wasn’t necessary to apply for a permit because campsites aren’t permanent structures and that there was no such licence to apply for.

Tan added that the landslide didn’t occur within their campsite but they will still take responsibility and help the victims and their families in any way they could.

READ MORE: Father’s Organic Farm Operator Takes Responsibility Although Landslide Didn’t Occur On Their Land

On 24 December, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) released the names of the 30 victims who perished in the landslide.

The final victim, Shao Qi, was found on Christmas Eve later in the day.

READ MORE: Names Of Batang Kali Landslide Victims Released, Search Continues For Sole Victim

READ MORE: Rescuers Focus On Sector A In Batang Kali Campsite As They Search For 11-Year-Old Eng Shao Qi

The SAR teams comprised groups from the Fire and Rescue Department, the armed forces, the Civil Defence Force, Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance, Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart), and the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia (Jupem).

The SAR efforts were assisted by 10 dogs from the tracker dog unit (K9) and nine excavators.

READ MORE: [Watch] Tracker Dogs Put Their Energy And Intelligence Into Honourable Work In Batang Kali


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