KOTA KINABALU, June 6 — Uncertainty has descended over how many people remain missing on Mount Kinabalu as rescuers search on for those who disappeared after an earthquake rocked Sabah yesterday.

It is believed that 17 people — 14 tourist climbers, two Mountain Torq trainers and a local mountain guide — are still missing after a stream of climbers returned back to base last night.

However, Fire and Rescue Services Department public relations officer Affendy Ramin reported that only 16 were still unaccounted for.

Search and rescue operations figures show 173 climbers are now accounted for, with the last person returning at 3.30am today.

Sabah Park’s Facebook page announced the two dead to be 30-year-old mountain guide Rubbi Sapinggi and 12-year-old Singaporean student Rachel Ho Yann Shiuan.

There is confusion over Ho,however, as the Singaporean is also listed among those still missing.

According to unconfirmed reports, the 14 missing climbers include Malaysians, Singaporeans, Filipinos and a Japanese and one Chinese national.

“The search for the missing people will continue today,” said a source.

Helicopters were heard circling the mountain early this morning.

An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude hit at 7.15am yesterday, causing rocks and boulders to fall along the mountain surface, injuring some climbers and trapping others.

After escaping the summit yesterday evening, most climbers made their way down at 8pm and came back to the Timpohon gate base in batches.

State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun is expected to announce the identities of the climbers today.