DUNGUN, MALAYSIA: It was "magnificent seven" to the rescue after 65 people, including 45 children, got lost at the top of Gunung Cemerong here, on Saturday.

The rescuers, comprising three villagers and four policemen, set out to find the group from the Islah Malaysia Association, Kemaman branch, after they failed to come back on schedule.

The group had hiked up at 8.30am and was expected back at 2pm.

However, when they failed to turn up at 6pm, the members who organised the hike immediately reported the matter to the police.

District police chief Superintendent Dahlan Mohd Noor said the rescue team took four hours to locate the missing group, before leading them back to safety by midnight.