KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek confirmed that teachers and students were involved in the tragic Batang Kali landslide this morning.

Standing alongside SJK(C) Mun Choong parent-teacher association chairman U Chin Ong, a teary-eyed Fadhlina said the Hospital Sungai Buloh forensic department was working hard to identify those killed.

Despite saying the camping trip was not an official school event, the minister pledged to provide assistance for the victims.

"Yes, there are students and teachers involved but the camping trip was done in a personal capacity and not one endorsed by the school,” she told reporters outside of the hospital’s forensic department.

When asked about details of the victims, she said it was not her place to do so.

"It is a very trying time for the relatives, so we hope they are given adequate space and time while identification process for the victims are being carried out,” she added.

Earlier today, it was reported that over 20 teachers and students were among the victims of a pre-dawn landslide that occurred at a campsite in Batang Kali, Selangor.

More than 21 people have been confirmed dead as of 5pm today, though the actual numbers are still unknown as a search and rescue operation is ongoing.