KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (AFP) - Malaysia's fire department said that two people had died and 51 were still missing after a landslide struck a campsite near Genting Highlands in Selangor state early on Friday (Dec 16), with search efforts ongoing.

In a statement, the national fire department said that as of 7am three people had also been injured and 23 people had been found safe.

The landslide occurred at a campsite close to the road and near Father's Organic Farm in Gohtong Jaya, news agency Bernama reported, later adding that a child was among the fatalities.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Norazam Khamis said firefighters began arriving at the scene at about 3am after receiving a distress call at 2.24am.

"According to the police, there are 100 people at the campsite who are likely to be victims of the landslide.

“The search and rescue mission for the victims is being carried out with the STORM (Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team of Malaysia) team," he said in response to Bernama's queries.

Malaysia's Civil Defence Force also tweeted photos of its Special Team (PASPA) and Selangor department joining in the search and rescue operation.

Mr Norazam said the landslide fell from an estimated height of 30m above the campsite, and covered an area of about 0.4ha.

Genting Highlands is a popular hill country area in Batang Kali district, north of the capital.

Selangor is the country's most affluent state and has suffered landslides before, often attributed to forest and land clearance.

The region is in its rainy season but no heavy rain or earthquakes were recorded overnight.