First victim of Tg Bungah landslide found, 3 others still buried
Four workers are feared dead in Penang following a landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah tonight.
The search and rescue team found the first victim at 11.18pm, although no other details of the person are available...
Four workers are feared dead in Penang following a landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah tonight.
The search and rescue team found the first victim at 11.18pm, although no other details of the person are available.
"They are trying to extricate him. They only uncovered the head for now," said Penang executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari.
The four workers were hired by a nearby hotel to construct a retaining wall, he added.
Zairil, who is currently at the site, said the focus is now on the search and rescue operation of the suspected victims.
"The owner of the hotel said he hired the four workers to construct the wall and it collapsed. We are doing all we can to search for the victims now," he told Malaysiakini.
Bernama quoted the Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Saadon Mokhtar confirming the incident, saying that a search and rescue operation is underway to recover the Myanmar nationals.
“So far, we have found the location of the victims under a pile of earth about 15 feet (4.5 metres) deep and efforts to retrieve them is underway,” he said.
Saadon added that the operation is being conducted with cooperation from the police and the Civil Defence Department after a report of the incident was received at 9.25pm.
Meanwhile, Zairil said the incident was very localised and the search and rescue team is expected to complete their job by tonight.
However, he said he would only be able to offer more information after studying the situation.
When contacted, state exco on environment Phee Boon Poh said all related departments including the local council, police and hospital are on site to help the search and rescue team.
"Due to the ground operations, we have to control traffic, and currently only one lane is open for vehicles to pass through. So we hope drivers will be patient," Phee said.
Two previous landslides had shocked Penangites, who called for the authorities to take sterner action on those responsible for the tragedies.
Last year, nine foreigners died at a landslide in Bukit Kukus in Paya Terubong when the overhead land caved in on them. Penang Island City Council and the contractor of the project were found responsible for the mishap.
In 2017, 11 workers, including a Malaysian supervisor, were swallowed alive when a landslide occurred at a housing construction site in Tanjung Bungah.
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.