Search and rescue personnel recover the body of an MPV driver who was buried under the landslide in Cameron Highlands, December 2, 2021. — Bernama pic
IPOH, Dec 3 — Police have confirmed the deaths of two men buried under the landslide at the Kilometre 35 along Jalan Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands.
The victims were identified as Muhammad Hafiz Hamdi, 31, from Tanjung Piandang in Kerian, who was driving a lorry carrying vegetable, and Tan Chee Heng, 36, from Klang, Selangor, who was driving a MPV.
Perak police chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the rescue team managed to retrieve the two bodies after nearly 10 hours of operation.
“The first body was of Tan, who was in a Toyota Alphard. He was pulled out at about 9.30pm.
“The second was Muhammad Hafiz, whose body was retrieved from the lorry at 10.50pm,” he told a press conference.
He said both men have been taken to the Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun for post mortem examination.
Mior also said that the authorities will continue the rescue operation to determine if there were any other victims trapped in the landslide.
He said the decision was taken after discussing with firemen, Public Works Department, Civil Defence Force and the district officer.
He added that the police are also using the trackers dogs from K9 Unit in the search and rescue operation.
It was believed that the landslide occurred at around 1.30pm due to erosion caused by continues rain.
The debris from the landslide covered about a 100-metre stretch blocking the road from both the sides.
The police had initially advised road users to use the road from Tapah to head to Cameron Highlands as the Simpang Pulai road is temporarily closed.