RESCUERS pulled out the body of another construction worker from the rubble at a structure under construction at Batu Maung, bringing the death toll to four.
Another two workers believed to be Bangladeshis, are warded in the intensive care unit of Penang Hospital for internal injuries after tonnes of scaffolding, tiles, zinc and concrete slabs fell on some 15 construction workers.
The workers were working last night at 10.30pm, as the site is listed as a fast tracking project by the Kuala Lumpur-based contractor.
Penang Island City Council Mayor Datuk Anthony Rajendran confirmed the latest recovery to journalists.
He conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families, and assured that a full-scale investigation is underway following the immediate issuance of a stop-work order.
Nine workers were pulled out safely from the debris by neighbouring workers, while some were away performing their evening prayers.
Rajendran said police have also deployed K9 sniffer dogs to comb the site to check for any signs of life beneath the rubble.
A majority of the beams have been sliced to allow rescuers better access under the rubble.
The search and rescue operations will continue until authorities are satisfied there are no more victims on site.
Asked on possible soil erosion as the cause, Anthony said it was too early to say but stressed that the council had issued an advisory to all developers at construction sites to be wary of the almost daily rainfall here.
He said this after accompanying Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and state executive councillor Zairil Khir Johari for the reopening of the Astaka Hillside Food Court in Tanjung Bungah.
The food court was revived after it was razed amid the Covid pandemic in 2020.
Earlier, Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said the task force is racing against time to rescue the workers still listed as missing.
“We managed to remove about 80% of the beams and scaffolding,” he said.
Based on initial reports, there were 18 construction workers at the site.
All the beams fell onto the workers, trapping them below.
The workers were aged between 22 and 46. – The Vibes, November 29, 2023
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