Orphanage landslide death toll now 16

Search and rescue personnel deploy a tracker dog in their efforts to find trapped victims. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 — Sixteen people are now believed to have been killed in yesterday’s deadly landslide at the Al-Taqwa orphanage in Hulu Langat, after four more lifeless bodies were uncovered by rescuers this morning.

The orphanage was nearly buried in a landslide yesterday afternoon and authorities have been scrambling to save victims trapped underneath the rubble and mud. The nine remaining survivors have been rescued.

The names of the dead victims and their age are as follows: Mohd Kamarul Amizan, 11; Nurahimi Rosdi, 14; Dzahir Haziq M. Muin, 11; Ahmad Lokman Hakim, 11; Farid Ibrahim, 34; Mohd Azrel Azahari, 8; Wan Ahmad Hasril Hazim, 19; Zahid Assawal Zamri, 19; Mohd Mustakim Mamat, 12; Mohd Naerzein M. Nor, 8; Mohd Aiman Abdullah, 10; Shahrul Nurimran Adnan, 9; Mohd Zaim Azahawi, 14; Mohd Imal Fahad, 9; Mohd Riezman Ab Latif, 9; and Mohd Hazim Sapri, 10.

Eight of the nine survivors — Aizat Khusuiri, 12; Allaudin Sobri, 14; M. Syatiq Ibrahim, 21; Khairul Anuar Nasri, 9; M. Harris Izuddin Sharul, 11; Zulkhairi Aminuddin; Izzuddin Abdullah; and Izuan Zakaria, 33 — are being treated at Hospital Ampang.

The ninth, 10-year-old Mohd Akmal Mohd Jefri, is receiving care at KPJ Kajang Specialist Centre.

Twenty-five people were trapped following the landslide yesterday and all have either been rescued or recovered.

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