KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Two Canadians who are among the group of 10 tourists in trouble for stripping and posing for photographs in the nude on Mount Kinabalu have sought help from their country’s Department of Foreign Affairs.

A report by Canadian news agency The Canadian Press quoted the department’s spokesman Nicolas Doire saying that it is aware that two Canadians have been prevented from leaving Malaysia, and its consular officials here are in contact with the authorities.

Canadian media reported on Sunday that two Canadian siblings, Lindsey, 23 and Danielle Peterson, 22 were barred from leaving the country for the same charges.

Police would not confirm or deny the arrests.

On May 30, 10 foreign tourists had allegedly broken away from their entourage of 27 and stripped naked for photos on Mount Kinabalu’s South peak. When warned against it by their guide, they had called him “stupid” and told him to “go to hell”.

Authorities said they had identified five of the 10 culprits — two Canadians, two Dutch and a German national.

The act angered many Sabahans and the local Dusun community who consider it a sacred site and believe it to be the final resting place of their ancestors.

State Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, in linking the “indecent and uncivilised” act to the earthquake said the mountain’s spirit was angered by the disrespect adding that the culprits should be brought to native court and charged.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun said he was told that the siblings were detained by police but did not offer more details other than to say “when we find them, we’ll know what to do with them.”

Malay Mail Online reported yesterday that the police has arrested one of the 10 tourists, who will be sent to Ranau district to be charged.