Sabah quake: Fate of Mount Kinabalu climbers unknown

KOTA KINABALU: The fate of several climbers at the peak in Mount Kinabalu remains unknown as cracks and boulders were reported to have been dislodged following the 7.17am earthquake in Ranau.

Sabah Park officials said they have no reports of any casualties but have directed everyone to climb down from the 4,095m mountain peak as a safety precaution.

Reports of rock and landslips emerged from people at the foothill and officials are waiting for the situation to settle before determining the next course of action.

“We feel that the rocks are still moving. People are still waiting for it to settle down at the mountain top,” said Kundasang resident Mazniag.

Several other after-shocks were also reported by villagers in the Ranau-Kundasang area in the 6-magnitude earthquake which cracked buildings and roads and caused landslips.

So far no casualties have been reported.

In Facebook postings several Sabah leaders have called for calm and prayers for those affected by the quake.