Climbing activities and part of Poring hot springs closed after tremor

Poring hot spring water changes colour

Sabah Parks today imposed an immediate suspension on all climbing activities on Mount Kinabalu, following an earthquake this morning that has left over 100 climbers stranded near the summit of the mountain.

The state government agency also declared on its Facebook page that it would close public access to the suspension bridge at the nearby Poring Hot Spring “for safety reasons”.

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Sabah’s west coast at around 7.15am, leaving several climbers at Mount Kinabalu stranded. Some climbers have been posting regular updates on their condition at Facebook.

It was also reported that one of the mountain’s peaks, Donkey’s Ear collapsed from the effects of the quake, leaving the mountain summit in a shroud of smoke but Sabah Parks direct Dr Jamili Nais declined to verify.

Jamilli has confirmed that rescue operations have been launched to save those climbers.

Climbers up Mount Kinabalu usually leave the summit after watching the sunrise at about 6am. It was not known how many climbers are left stranded after the quake at around 7.15am.

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At least one dead on Mount Kinabalu, witness claims

KUNDASANG - A Malaysian doctor who was on Mount Kinabalu today claimed that at least one person died after the area was hit by a 6.0 magnitude earthquake this morning.

Dr Redzlan Abdul Rahman said that he saw three bodies and managed to check one and confirmed there was no pulse.

“I tried to checked her pulse, but I couldn’t find any.

“I believe she was Singaporean,” he said adding that he was not sure of the other victims.

Dr Redzlan who was here to chaperone a group of 15 students from Sekolah Menengah Tengku Kudin Laut in Pahang said he first felt the tremors when he was at a hut in Sayat Sayat and ran out.

“You could actually see the hut’s posts shaking and later on, the boulders from the mountain broke off and started falling down. It was so scary,” he said, while shuddering.

Dr Redzlan was one of the 52 climbers who have made it down from the mountain today. Some reportedly suffered injuries.

According to fire and rescue services operations statistics, another 137 are still stranded between km7.5 and km8 on the mountain summit where fallen rocks have blocked the path.

“I had to take a detour that was far off the beaten path to get down,” said Dr Redzlan.

Sabah Parks staff Alip Sampin said that about 200 mountain guides have been deployed to assist in search and rescue operations.

“However, many are on standby at lower points in the climb and awaiting further instructions from coordinators,” he said.

Bad weather conditions and the possibility of aftershocks are hampering search and rescue operations.

Helicopters are also seen circling the mountain.