Landslide buries Malaysia orphans

A general view shows a landslide that half buried an orphanage house in Hulu Langat outside Kuala Lumpur May 21, 2011. The orphanage was partially buried by a landslide caused by recent heavy rains
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A landslide in Malaysia has killed two children and may have buried at least 21 others after hitting an orphanage near the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Six children have been pulled out with injuries after the landslide, which took place at about 1430 local time (0630 GMT) on Saturday.

A local lawmaker said the area had suffered heavy rain for two days.

About 100 people, including emergency officials, are involved in the rescue effort, he said.

The incident occurred at the Children’s Hidayah Madrasah al-Taqwa orphanage in the district of Hulu Langat, south of Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia map

“Twenty-three children under the age of 18 were buried in the landslide. Six have been pulled out with injuries while have two died. It is raining heavily now,” Che Rosli Che Mat, an opposition lawmaker, told AFP news agency.

He said the disaster had occurred while the children had been practising the traditional Malay drums under a tent near a steep slope.

“The landslide happened very fast. Only a few children managed to escape,” he said.

A district police officer told AP news agency that continuing rains were hampering rescue operations.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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