BATANG KALI, Dec 16 — Initial indications have revealed that the landslide that occurred early this morning that hit the campsite of Father’s Organic Farm, Gohtong Jaya here was a result of an embankment slope failure.

Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the landslide involved an area of 500 metres (m) in length, 200 m wide and a depth of 8m, moving approximately 450,000 square metres (sq m) of soil.

"The Minerals and Geoscience Department (JMG) will monitor this area and provide warning should there be any earth movement in the location,” he told reporters after visiting the incident site today.

He also advised the public to exercise more caution, especially during the current north-east monsoon season.

As of 5pm, the police have confirmed 18 deaths, with 61 saved and 15 still missing. — Bernama