Sabah quake: All climbers safe

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The climbers gathering at Laban Rata on Mt Kinabalu after the earthquake shook the mountain last night.

 

KOTA KINABALU: All 130 climbers have arrived safely at Kinabalu Park headquarters early this morning, according to Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun.

In a Twitter update, he said the last climber arrived at Timpohon Gate, the starting point of climb, at 4.20 am.

Masidi shared another update of a picture of Mount Kinabalu from Kinabalu Park headquarters taken by Sabah Parks director Dr Jamili Nais, captioned “beautiful day, calm & peaceful.”

To a question by a netizen regarding town alarm systems in Ranau and Kundasang as well as preparation of boarding schools with standard operating procedures in times of emergency, Masidi said, “Alhamdulillah semua selamat” (Praise God, all are safe).

Others who were stranded on the mountain when the earthquake occurred have safely arrived at Timpohon, making it a total of 239 persons accounted for.

A statement issued by the State Fire and Rescue Services Department said two female climbers experienced Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and were “piggyback” down by MOSAR teams.

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake, with its epicentre at 16km south west of Ranau, jolted the interior and west coast of Sabah at 9.06pm yesterday.

Following the incident, Masidi ordered a temporary suspension of all climbing activities on Mount Kinabalu.