Blamed for earthquake: Nude Canadian climbers detained in Malaysia

Two people from Saskatchewan are among four Westerners now being detained in Malaysia amid allegations they posed naked for photos at the country’s highest peak last month, just days before an earthquake killed 18 climbers.

The group will be detained in the Central lock-up in Kepayan for four days while they’re investigated for indecent behaviour.

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“We applied for a four day remand starting today – 10th to 13th of June. Our application has been allowed,” Sabah’s State police chief told Malaysian reporters.

READ MORE: Malaysian earthquake toll rises to 13, as bodies of mountain climbers recovered

Malaysia’s foreign affairs ministry has identified the Canadians as siblings Lindsey and Danielle Petersen.

They and a Dutch male surrendered to police Tuesday evening, and a British woman was detained at Sabah airport.

The four were allegedly part of a group of 10 who stripped naked for photos on Mount Kinabalu on May 30th.

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A state official has blamed the subsequent 5.9-magnitude quake on the foreigners for showing “disrespect to the sacred mountain.”

Sabah’s State police chief is not aware if they will be charged. “I’m not sure,” he said. “We’ll let the Native Courts decide for further action.”

If charged and found guilty, individuals could face up to three months in prison, a fine, or both.

The earthquake Friday sent rocks and boulders raining down the trekking routes on the 4,095-meter-high mountain in Sabah on Borneo island, killing 18 climbers.

The victims were nine Singaporeans, six Malaysians and a Filipino, a Chinese and a Japanese national.

The quake damaged roads and buildings, including schools and a hospital on Sabah’s west coast. It also broke one of the twin rock formations on the mountain known as the “Donkey’s Ears.”

Watch below as the two Canadians are being detained in Malaysia.

With Files from Global News