A grief-stricken woman could not contain her tears when she went to claim the bodies of four family members who died in the landslide that occurred early Friday morning at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite in Gohtong Jaya on Jalan Genting-Batang Kali.
Beh Su Lee had to be helped by family members to her car after struggling to walk and nearly collapsing as she exited the hospital’s forensic unit.
The 59-year-old woman was inconsolable as she revealed that the landslide that tore through the camping site claimed the lives of her 35-year-old daughter, 34-year-old son-in-law, and two grandkids, a boy and a girl, who were six and one years old, respectively.
“Yesterday, I identified three bodies. Today, I identified another one,” Beh said briefly to reporters on Sunday before leaving the hospital.
A few minutes before Beh left the hospital, two hearses, believed to be transporting the coffins of her family members, were seen leaving the premises.
Officials say that out of the 94 people caught in the landslide, 24 have been confirmed dead while nine others are still missing.
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek also confirmed with reporters that students and teachers from SJK(C) Mun Choong were involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, the management of Father’s Organic Farm’s apologised to the families of those who were affected by the tragedy of the landslide in a message that was posted on its Facebook page today.
“Disasters are faceless, love is with us! Our hearts are closely connected with you, may the deceased rest in peace.
“(Our) heartfelt and deepest condolences to the families, (and we pray) for the recovery of survivors and those who were injured,” it said.
They also paid tribute to all the parties involved in the search and rescue efforts.
He made this announcement after visiting the scene of the tragedy and promised that the government would provide all necessary assistance.
“We will expedite the assistance,” he said in a short press conference.
“The funds will be channelled (to victims and heirs of the deceased) through coordination between the Selangor state government and various non-governmental organisations,” he said, adding that it would begin immediately.
According to the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department, the search and rescue effort for the nine remaining landslide victims has entered its third day as of 8 am today.
Its director, Datuk Norazam Khamis, said the search today would concentrate on Sectors A and C as well as the nearby, unexplored areas.
Six K9 unit tracking dogs have arrived at the incident location to support the operation, the Corporate Management Unit of the Fire and Rescue Department said.
Search and rescue workers gathered for a briefing this morning in poor weather, continuing their difficult day.
