An Australian climber has criticised rescue efforts in the wake of a deadly earthquake in Malaysia.

Thirteen people were killed when the magnitude six quake struck and six others are still missing.

Vee Jin Dumlao says she and other stranded climbers had to wait nine hours for help despite fog clearing.

Hopes have dimmed for six people still missing after the tremor at Mount Kinabalu triggered a river of stones that killed 13 climbers, with several Singaporean schoolchildren feared to be among the victims.

An 80-member rescue team was dispatched to search a section of trail on the popular climbing peak that was obliterated in rockfalls set loose by Friday's quake