IPOH: A continuous downpour since yesterday is believed to have triggered the landslide which struck The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat in Tambun here today, killing two guests.
After almost 10 hours of a search and rescue (SAR) operation, authorities managed to retrieve the body of Ooi Chee Wei, 39, at 10.05am; while the body of Lee Tze Jun, 32 was found at 10.18am.
The remains were found in the jacuzzi room of the victims' villa, which was struck by the landslide at 1am.
Perak Mineral and Geoscience Department (JMG) deputy director Mat Niza Abdul Rahman said the resort is surrounded by limestone valley walls.
"Initial investigation revealed that on top of the limestone, there are trees growing on residual soil. From afar, it looks beautiful and stable.
"However, due to a downpour since yesterday, the rains weakened the residual soil which collapsed onto a part of the villa where the victims stayed," he told reporters outside the resort here, today.
Mat Niza said the department will conduct further investigations, but at a later date, as there are still concerns over soil movement.
"Another landslide might occur should the downpour continue. We don't know when it will happen, but there is a high chance (of it) since the soil is not stable," he said.
Asked whether the department would suggest that the resort cease operations temporarily, Mat Niza said the matter will be discussed with other authorities and the resort itself.
"We will discuss the matter with authorities and the resort, to know what the next step is. We will also conduct research to determine if this place is safe to stay in at the moment, because there is a high possibility of another landslide occurring," he said.
Mat Niza noted that this was the first landslide incident at the resort, and that there are no development projects near the popular tourist attraction.
Meanwhile, Perak acting police chief Datuk Goh Boon Keng said that on the day of the incident, only four villas were occupied.
"The incident was noticed by a resort staff who then told all the guests to immediately vacate their rooms.
"Everyone left their villas except the two guests. It prompted the staff to climb up the wall and check on them. The staff found that half of their villa was covered in debris," he said, adding that police have yet to ascertain the nature of the relationship of the guests.
Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department head Azmi Osman said the department received a distress call at 1.28am.
"A total of 47 officers and firemen were involved in the operation, including the police's K9 Unit from the Klang Valley," he said, adding that the operation had to stop several times due to soil movement.
The two bodies were taken to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) for post-mortems.
As of 12 noon today, the families of the victims have yet to arrive at the location.