Bungalow collapse leaves one dead, three still buried (with VIDEO)

The renovation on the lot has been going on for a year. — Picture by Hafidz Baharom

SHAH ALAM, Oct 18 — A bungalow being renovated here became a disaster zone when the extension being worked on collapsed, leaving one foreign worker dead, four more injured with three more still buried under the rubble.

Four others were injured in the collapsed that happened just before 4.30pm opposite the residence of Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

“It was about 4.25pm and I was reading the papers when I heard a loud noise. I came rushing out of my house, I saw the scaffolding shaking, and then I saw the whole renovated extension collapse,” Abdul Aziz  told The Malaysian Insider, adding that he saw one of the buried casualties foot sticking out of the collapse debris.

Abdul Aziz, who alerted the authorities, said workers from other renovation works in the area witnessed what happened and came over to help but couldn’t do anything with their tools until disaster aid workers arrived.

“The police arrived first, then the fire department, followed by the civil defence (JPA III) and then the ambulances,” he said, adding that he saw the search and rescue crew pull out a survivor who had lost a leg.

Abdul Aziz praised the rescue system for proving it works through the immediate arrivals, but was concerned for the three workers still buried under the debris.

“They are using a tractor, they have used a crane, but still, they (the workers) are trapped,” he added.

Abdul Aziz said the renovation on the lot has been going on for a year, with the owners planning to move in next year.

Meanwhile, details seen at the emergency control centre set up nearby indicates the police arriving on site at 4.44pm.

Rescue efforts currently ongoing involves 25 officers and 115 policemen are involved, with another 104 people from supporting services such as the fire department, local council, hospital, Kepong Red Crescent and civil defence teams.

The centre also lists 10 foreign labourers as “saved”, with ages ranging between 20 and 45, two being labelled as being seriously injured but stable, while another lost a limb.

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