Two people were killed while 12 are missing after a landslide occurred in Paya Terubong, Penang, this afternoon.

According to The Star, state exco member Phee Boon Poh confirmed the two deaths and said 12 were missing.

The first body was recovered at 3.40pm.

The Star also quoted an Indonesian construction worker, identified only as Endo, 36, who said three of his family members from Sulawesi were trapped.

"Three of them, in their 30s, were inside, and I found out that one of them was trapped in a container.

"I pray for their safety," he reportedly said.

Four containers, used to house workers at the construction site, were buried in the landslide.

An initial Fire and Rescue Department report indicated that about 10 workers could have been buried alive in the landslide at Jalan Bukit Kukus.

The report also stated that officers from the Paya Terubong and Bayan Baru stations were alerted of the 1.56pm incident at the construction site for a highway project linking Paya Terubong to Relau.

“The landslide covers an area estimated to be 500ft by 200ft,” according to a WhatsApp message from the Penang Fire and Rescue Department.