Dozens of climbers stranded as earthquake hits

An earthquake has injured 11 climbers on south-east Asia's highest peak and about 130 people are stranded, officials say.

Malaysia's meteorological department said the magnitude-5.9 quake struck north west of Ranau district in Sabah state on Borneo at a depth of 34 miles.

Sabah Parks director Jamili Nais said two climbers who were injured on Mount Kinabalu have been brought down. Nine more people are believed to be injured among the 137 stranded on the mountain.

#Sabah #quake:151 stuck on Kinabalu summit, fates of 40 others unknown http://t.co/R5Uu6SjOLH pic.twitter.com/TOKluhVTsP

— fidic aidic (@fidicaidic) June 5, 2015

Their climbing route was apparently blocked or made dangerous by rocks and boulders loosened by the quake and small aftershocks.

The park director said helicopters cannot land due to bad weather and the high altitude, but park rangers and mountain guides are trying to help the climbers down.

Ranau has experienced several weak quakes in recent years. The meteorological department said Sabah has several active fault lines that result in occasional earthquakes.

State tourism minister Masidi Manjun said people from nearby villages joined the rescue team to try to reach the climbers.

More than 100 tourists are trapped right now after a powerful quake shook Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu pic.twitter.com/0ZzhP3tpjS

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) June 5, 2015

He tweeted that the strong tremor had damaged climbers' huts and facilities on the 4,095-metre peak, and broke one of the twin rock formations famously known as the "Donkey's Ears".

Some of the stranded climbers are foreign, but it is not clear how many.

Mr Manjun said all the climbers were progressing cautiously towards a midway point on the climbing route called Laban Rata.

The 137 stranded climbers are now slowly & cautiously making their way down to Laban Rata (food available) with the assistance of 32 guides

— Masidi Manjun (@MasidiM) June 5, 2015

Sabah Parks said the rescuers hoped to help all the stranded climbers at least reach that area before nightfall. Laban Rata is a usual resting point for climbers trying to scale the summit and has food available.