Ranau earthquake: No deaths on Mount Kinabalu - Sabah Police
Rizal Zulkapli
Jun 5, 2015 10:44 MYT
Jun 5, 2015 10:44 MYT
One of the photos posted by Mount Kinabalu climber Charlene Chen which she uploaded on her Facebook earlier today, after the earthquake struck. - Charlene Chen/Facebook
The Sabah police confirmed that there have been no deaths on Mount Kinabalu following the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Ranau town in the state this morning.
When contacted, state police commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman clarified that three people suffered injuries on the mountain, including one Turkish citizen.
This status was also confirmed by Sabah Fire and Rescue Department's Tuan Sarifudin Ladulu via a telephone conversation with Astro AWANI.
Earlier, it was reported that 52 climbers had left Mount Kinabalu via Timpohon Gate.
Another state Fire and Rescue official who wished anonimity, also told Astro AWANI that 238 climbers and guides were stranded on Mt Kinabalu following the quake.
Meanwhile Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister, Datuk Masidi Manjun confirmed four people had been injured following the quake, two seriously.
Two guides are reported to be missing, he said.
In a series of Tweets today, Masidi also said the first batch rescue personnel involing 85 members have reached Laban Rata.
Currently, 30 guides and 25 members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) are mobilised to assist with the rescue effort.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, via Twitter, has also pledged to send armed forces personnel to the quake-affected areas.
A Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Eurocopter EC725 has also been dispatched to Laban Rata in Mount Kinabalu to help save stranded climbers.