The hikers have also lighted a bonfire to guide the rescuers.

A Penang Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the hikers were also able to hear the siren signals from firemen on the hill.

Earlier, a member of the hiking group called 999 at 7.30pm calling for help as they were lost near “Wand Gate 7”.

Two rescue teams from the Bagan Jermal and Paya Terubong fire stations embarked on the search-and-rescue mission.

They have to trek through dense jungle at 260m and 833m above sea level.

When contacted, Penang Hill Corporation (PHC), the state agency which manages the hill town, said the group was likely part of a “night hike”, as hiking during the evening has become popular.

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

He said while Penang Hill’s old and beaten hiking trails seem impossible to get lost in, experienced hikers still get lost when using them even during the day.

Cheok said in the event hikers got lost during the day, it would be easier to rescue them.

He thanked the two rescue teams en route to the missing group and said they were “an hour or two” away from their location.

“Thankfully, the hikers have GPS on their phones. The rescue team is aware of their coordinates.”

Cheok said the hikers were probably at a place called Rain Gauge 7 (RG7).

There are many hiking paths up the Penang Hill range, with most taking an average of three to four hours to reach the summit at 833m.