Three Myanmar nationals were killed in a landslide at Batu 49 Kampung 3, Terla, Cameron Highlands today.

The victims of the 11am incident were two women known as Naing Vai, 23, and Mu Aye Aye, 34, and a 23-year-old man identified as Aung Thong.

Pahang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Mohd Sani Harul said a landslide occurred on higher ground and the victims who were taking shelter under a shed were buried alive.

"The shed could not be seen because it was buried under the rubble," Sani said in a statement here today.

Further information on the incident will be provided by the department later.

Meanwhile, Cameron Highlands police chief Ashari Abu Samah said Thong and Vai were a married couple while Aye Aye was their friend.

He said the landslide actually happened at about 3am following heavy rain from midnight.

Ashari said investigations revealed that all the victims, believed to be farm workers, were sleeping in the shed which was illegally constructed at the bottom of a steep slope.

"The landslide occurred due to the heavy rain and buried the hut,” he said in a statement.

Ashari added that police were alerted at 10.40am before a team of rescuers including from the Fire and Rescue Department rushed to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.

"On arrival at 11.30am, the team found two of the victims had been pulled out by their friends but were pronounced dead.

“The body of the third victim was extricated at 1.20 pm,” he said, adding that all the bodies were sent to the Tanah Rata Hospital for post-mortem.

- Bernama