PUTRAJAYA, March 22 (Bernama) -- Twenty-three vehicles were buried in a massive landslide at Precinct 9 here, forcing about 1,000 residents to vacate their homes at 4.30am Thursday.

Putrajaya OCPD Acting Supt Abdul Razak Abdul Majid said tonnes of earth came tumbling down from a hill from behind the apartment at Precinct 9 of Phase 11.

"Nobody is buried alive or trapped under the rubble," he told reporters at the scene.

This was confirmed by the fire and resue team who checked the landslide site using "motion detectors" and tracker dogs.

Abdul Razak said the 50-metre high hill with a 45 degree slope was located 10 metres from the apartment which has three blocks, each 15-storey high.

Atop the hill is a water tank.

Following the landslide, a pile of earth, measuring 9m by 12m and three-metre high, has been formed at the car park area.

Abdul Razak said the residents are being sheltered at the community centre and at a secondary school hall at Precinct 9.

"We are waiting for engineers from the Public Works Institute, Malaysia, (Ikram) to confirm whether there will be further earth movements in the area.

"Only then a decision will be made whether to allow the residents to return to their apartment units," he said.

It has been raining heavily in Putrajaya since yesterday evening till early today.

-- BERNAMA