It started before the construction of Highland Towers when water was diverted from a local stream called East Creek to bypass the building site.

In December 1993, the area experienced a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, which caused the soil to become muddy, and shortly after, water was observed flowing down the slope of the hill.

After a prolonged period of heavy rainfall, a landslide began, which destroyed the retaining wall behind the first block's car park.

[4] An estimated 100,000 cubic metres of mud, approximately the weight of 200 Boeing 747 jets,[5] gradually pushed the foundation of Block 1 forward.

According to Police Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Ghazali Yaacob, rescuers became aware of survivors from the third and fourth floors after two trained German Shepherds detected them inside the building.

[7] The Sécurité deployed heavy machinery and trained dogs into the collapsed building as a final attempt to rescue potential survivors.

[7] After the collapse, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim urged that all skyscrapers and condominiums should undergo strict inspections to ensure that buildings were safe for occupation.

Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang of the DAP called upon the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the collapse.

[8] On 15 October 1994, six residents filed a lawsuit against the developers of Highland Tower and eight other related parties, including AmBank and Ampang Jaya Municipal Council, for alleged negligence.

[10] On 18 February 2006, the Federal Court ruled that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council was not liable for the Highland Towers before, during, or after the incident.

Additionally, the court ruled that the Council was protected by parliamentary immunity from claims regarding incidents before the collapse of the building.

[13] On 11 December 2004, the eleventh anniversary of the tragedy, all former residents and victims of the Highland Towers gathered at the site as a final farewell.

[15] On 11 December 2010, AETN's History Channel showed an hour-long documentary of the tragedy that featured accounts from the victims, their families, and former residents of the Highland Towers.

[5] On 3 December 2013, it was reported that AmBank planned to sell Highland Towers and its nearby bungalow lots, though no reason was given as to the company's motive.

[19] Nearby residents reported that the remaining buildings became a haven for criminals, drug addicts, and Mat Rempits who used them as temporary shelters.

[24] However, Former Deputy Prime Minister, Musa Hitam said that a memorial should erected at the remaining Highland Towers condominium as a remembrance of the incident that kills his son and daughter-in-law and a reminder that it "represents the wrongdoings of humans".