KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia —
Rescuers on Borneo's highest peak, 12,000 foot Kota
Kinabalu, searched for six climbers after recovering 13 dead from a strong
earthquake that trapped scores of trekkers last week. Most of the other
climbers made it down the tectonically active young mountain in the darkness early Saturday, some with
broken limbs and one in a coma.
Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Joseph
Pairin Kitingan blamed the tragic quake on a group of 10 foreigners who "showed
disrespect to the sacred mountain" by posing naked at the peak. He said a
special ritual would be conducted to "appease the mountain spirit."
Five of the tourists are believed
to still be in Malaysia and will be barred from leaving on the offense of gross
indecency, according to police.
