The Penang Fire and Rescue Department said the nine lost hikers were unhurt and were found at 1.09am today.

The hikers comprised seven men and two women between the ages of 24 and 61.

Based on the coordinates given by the rescuers, the lost hikers were found about 1km southwest of the Penang Hill summit station. They were in good spirits and thanked their rescuers as they posed together for pictures.

The group had called 999 emergency services at 7.30pm last night, saying they were lost in the jungle.

They also gave their coordinates from their mobile phone’s location app and said they were close to Rain Gauge 7, a rainfall measuring device put up by the state water authorities.

As two rescue teams from the Bagan Jermal and Paya Terubong fire brigades approached, the group lit a bonfire and rescue members were able to reach one of the victims’ phones.

According to the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), the state agency that manages the hill town, the rescuers could have spent “many hours” hiking to the spot, and placed themselves at risked by entering the jungle at night.

PHC general manager LL Cheok had said the state agency has always advised against hiking at night, as the climbers risked getting lost and could also be attacked by poisonous reptiles.