14 feared dead in Malaysian landslide

Tanjung Bungah, October 21 

Two workers were found dead and 12 others were missing today after a landslide at a construction site on the popular Malaysian tourist island of Penang, officials said.

Pictures showed large piles of earth had slipped off a hillside onto the site, where houses were being built.

Two bodies were pulled from the mud and 12 others were still missing, said Anuar Omar, a  police official. He said the victims were believed to be migrant workers. Many foreigners work in low-paying, physically-demanding industries such as construction in Malaysia.

Penang Island City Council mayor Maimunah Sharif said it was not clear what caused the accident but ruled out the possibility of wet weather. The rapid pace of construction on Penang has raised concerns about damage to the environment. — AFP