Penang warehouse collapse kills at least 3, several feared buried under the rubble
A 12m beam, weighing about 14 tonnes, collapsed over the construction workers in Penang, Malaysia. (Photo: Facebook/Bernama)
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GEORGE TOWN, Penang: Three construction workers were killed after the roof frame of a logistics warehouse under construction in Penang collapsed on Tuesday (Nov 28).
Penang deputy police chief Mohamad Usuf Jan Mohamad said two of the victims died at the site of the incident at Batu Maung while another died in hospital.
Two injured workers remain hospitalised in critical condition while four others are believed to have been buried under the rubble.
"We received information about the incident at 9.45pm claiming 18 construction workers were feared trapped when a building under construction collapsed," said the deputy police chief during a media conference held at the site.
However, the police were later notified that nine of the 18 had gone out for prayers,
"During the incident, the workers were working under a 12m beam that weighed about 14 tonnes. The beam later collapsed over the workers and piled up over other beams."
All the workers involved are believed to be from Bangladesh.
Mohidul Islam, 43, said he had been with four others doing carpentry work on the top floor of the warehouse when he decided to take a break and left his workstation.
"Suddenly I heard a loud noise and the situation became chaotic after realising that there was a collapse of the structure that was under construction.
"Most of us here have only been working at this project site for three months ... I am very sad because I have friends who died in the incident," he said, adding that he was grateful to have avoided the accident.
Another worker, Md Ikhtiar, said he had been working on the ground floor when he suddenly felt the structure of the building swaying.
“I immediately went out of the building after hearing screams from other workers and then saw the building collapse.
"One of the victims managed to be pulled out from the rubble, but his condition was bad and he died shortly after," said the 38-year-old.
Search and rescue efforts continued on Wednesday morning and a stop work order has been issued.
The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) said in an earlier statement that it was having problems lifting the fallen beams to get to the victims buried under the rubble.
"This is because the beams are heavy and large concrete structures. We need machinery to lift and clear the area so that the rescue team can access the location of the victims. We use a crane and the service of a tracker to detect any unreported victims.
"We will continue the operation until all the victims are found and brought out."
Two tracker dogs were later deployed to assist in the efforts.
"Based on information received from the contractor and developer, the trapped victims are said to be in close proximity to one another, a distance of a few metres between them," said Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director (Operations) Khairy Sulaiman.
"This is based on the fact that the workers were in the middle of their work, laying beams before the collapse. The area in question is only the size of a basketball court."
