Three Bangladeshis were killed and two others injured when a building under construction collapsed at George Town in Penang of Malaysia at about 9.45pm on Tuesday (Malaysian local time).

Penang deputy police chief Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said that so far, rescuers had found five out of the nine workers believed to have been trapped.

“A beam measuring about 12m long and weighing about 14 tonnes had fallen and knocked down 14 other beams in the incident at the site,” said Deputy Commissioner Mohamed Usuf.

“There were 18 workers assigned to the site. None of them had gone out for prayers at the time.

“So far, we have identified three deceased victims - two who had died at the scene and another who died in hospital.

“Two other victims who suffered serious injuries have been sent to Penang Hospital for treatment.”

“We believe there are four more victims still trapped under the collapsed structure.”

He added that all the workers are Bangladeshi nationals.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Zulfahmi Sutaji said rescue efforts were difficult because of the weight of the structures involved.

“We need large machinery to remove heavy structures and access the victims,” he said.

“K-9 units have been called to help detect the victims at the site about the size of a basketball court.”

Initial reports by the Fire and Rescue Department said that at least nine workers were trapped under the rubble.

Search and rescue works are ongoing.

Source: The Straits Times