Fog hampers recovery efforts on Mt Kinabalu
The Chief Minister of Sabah Musa Aman said to the families of those affected by the earthquake that it was tragic that tourists were among the dead and injured and that rescuers are doing all they can.
The weather is preventing search and rescue teams from reaching nine bodies that have been found near the peak of Mount Kinabalu, said Sabah tourism minister Masidi Manjun.
It is unclear, as yet, what their nationalities are.
Rescue helicopters have been unable to land because of the fog and will make another attempt at 3pm.
"If that attempt fails, we will have to resort to manually carrying the bodies down like we did yesterday," he said.
This will take some six hours and may be dangerous as daylight is fading.
At about 3.20pm, a helicopter could be seen heading towards the summit.
Speaking to The New Paper at the Mount Kinabalu Headquarters where rescuers are based, he added that damaged trails have slowed down search and rescue teams.
"What was previously known, much of it is completely inaccessible and you have to find a new path. Fortunately, our guides know the mountains very well and can find new paths."
He said there were 48 rescuers on Mount Kinabalu on Saturday, about half of Friday's 85.
Families of the Singaporeans still missing are expected to arrive at the Mount Kinabalu Headquarters later today.
The Chief Minister declared that Monday would be a day of mourning for Sabah.
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