Batang Kali Landslide: Last Missing Victim Is A Year Five Boy From SJKC Mun Choong
The boy is said to be the son of the school canteen owner.
By Sabrina Zainal — 23 Dec 2022, 12:07 PM
The search continued this morning, 23 December, for one last victim of the Batang Kali landslide disaster in Gohtong Jaya, who is believed to be a Year Five student from SJKC Mun Choong
The rescue team and six canines from the tracker dog unit (K9), assisted by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and other agencies, started the search at 8am as it entered its eighth day, reported The Star.
The boy is the sole victim unaccounted for out of 27 linked to the Chinese primary school, who were camping at Father's Organic Farm when tragedy struck last Friday, 16 December.
According to the school's Parent-Teacher Association head, U Chin Ong, there were 26 victims, including six teachers and canteen workers, who died. Other victims were friends or family.
"Everyone who died has been located. The only person still missing is a boy in Year Five. A memorial service would be held for the victims of the landslide, but we have to wait because some families are still arranging funerals," she was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.
She added that the Year Five student was the son of the canteen owner.
This development brings the total number of victims down to 92 from 94
Yesterday evening, 22 December, police made the clarification, saying that there were two redundant entries on the Father's Organic Farm campsite registry, which led authorities to believe there were 94 victims involved.
The figure was revised after verifying and comparing missing person reports and next-of-kin claims.
Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said the authorities will not rest until the child is found.
"There is a police report lodged on the missing boy. The search will continue until the boy's body is found," he said.
Selangor police chief Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed speaking to reporters during a press conference in Batang Kali.
Image via Asyraf Hamzah/NSTP