Batang Kali landslide: Bodies in Hospital Sungai Buloh yet to be identified, says Health Minister

SUNGAI BULOH: The identities of the bodies in Hospital Sungai Buloh have yet to be identified following the landslide that hit the Father's Organic Farm campsite in Batang Kali, says Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

The Health Minister said the remains were still in body bags and authorities were not yet able to ascertain their identities and gender.

Dr Zaliha was referring to 11 bodies that were sent to the hospital as of 1.15pm on Friday (Dec 16).

ALSO READ: Batang Kali landslide: Set up commission of inquiry to probe incident, says NGO

“We have to follow the SOP (standard operating procedures). We have not done the Covid-19 tests (on the deceased), we are all still waiting,” she told a press conference at the hospital.

She also said it could not be confirmed when the post-mortems would be completed.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the hospital said five more bodies were on the way there from the incident site.

ALSO READ: Batang Kali landslide: Mum hoping daughter survived disaster

"The identities of all the bodies have yet to be determined," it said.

It added that the forensic medical team had roped in medical officers, assistant medical officers and healthcare assistants to conduct the post-mortems with the assistance of staff from the Forensic Department of Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah UiTM Puncak Alam and other hospitals around the Klang Valley.

ALSO READ: Batang Kali landslide: Hospital volunteer on standby to lend moral support

"The team is currently collecting ante-mortem information from the next of kin at the hospital premises.

"This ante-mortem information will help speed up the process of identification and the handover of the bodies to the next of kin after the autopsies are completed," the statement added.