KUALA LUMPUR – A stop-work order has been issued after a logistics warehouse under construction collapsed last night in Batu Maung, Penang.
Penang Island mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the order was issued to the developer and engineer this morning.
“So far, construction work was on schedule. Because the site is not located near any residential areas, we gave the developer the permission to carry out work at night,” he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.
The collapse happened around 9.45pm yesterday near the Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, resulting in the death of at least three Bangladeshi workers.
As of 6am today, four victims are still buried in the rubble, and two workers who were seriously injured are receiving treatment at Penang Hospital.
The search-and-rescue operation for the four remaining victims is expected to be concluded by noon, according to Bayan Lepas assemblyman Azrul Mahathir Aziz.
The Fire and Rescue Department, in a statement this morning, said its team was having problems lifting the fallen beams to get to the victims in the rubble and that cranes were used to lift the heavy beam structures.
Earlier, Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohamad Usuf Jan Mohamad, in a press conference, confirmed three Bangladeshi workers died in the incident, two others were seriously injured and four were feared to be still buried. – November 29, 2023