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The Penang Umno headquarters was damaged by strong winds, breaking the antenna from the 21-storey building.
Hospital authorities have confirmed that five people were injured as a result of the falling antenna and one killed. Several vehicles were also damaged.
The Lebuh Pantai fire station said that the incident happened at 6.55pm.
The Penang Umno headquarters was damaged by strong winds, breaking the antenna from the 21-storey building.
Hospital authorities have confirmed that five people were injured as a result of the falling antenna and one killed. Several vehicles were also damaged.The Lebuh Pantai fire station said that the incident happened at 6.55pm.
The rubble had caused massive damage to Jalan Macalister, located in the heart of Georgetown.
Kitchen gas cylinders which appeared to have fallen off a truck were seen strewn across the road.
It appeared that the massive force of the collapsing tower had smashed through the road surface and bursting the water mains.
Authorities have confirmed that one person - Jahir Hussain Sulaiman, age 46 - died as a result of the falling debris.
He was a co-driver of a lorry that was struck along Jalan Macalister.
Authorities also confirmed that another person died in a separate incident in Air Hitam, but also due to the storm.
Wong Tze Chow, 33, died after being struck by a falling tree.
He was a co-driver of a lorry that was struck along Jalan Macalister.
Authorities also confirmed that another person died in a separate incident in Air Hitam, but also due to the storm.
Wong Tze Chow, 33, died after being struck by a falling tree.
Natural disaster
In a press release immediately after the incident, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urged Penang Umno officials to swiftly provide rescue workers access to the roof to prevent more debris from falling off the roof.
"About seven cars have been damaged and we hope there are no more casualties," he said.
When contacted, Penang State Umno Youth chief Shaik Hussein Mydin said he received word that the lighting rod of the building has collapsed.
"It's an accident, a natural disaster. We hope no one is hurt, " he said.
Shaik Hussein also offered his sympathy for those injured.
The building houses many offices. Umno occupies the sixth and seventh floor.
"About seven cars have been damaged and we hope there are no more casualties," he said.When contacted, Penang State Umno Youth chief Shaik Hussein Mydin said he received word that the lighting rod of the building has collapsed.
"It's an accident, a natural disaster. We hope no one is hurt, " he said.
Shaik Hussein also offered his sympathy for those injured.
The building houses many offices. Umno occupies the sixth and seventh floor.
Yesterday, the meteorological department had warned fishermen to stay away from the sea as they had predicted strong winds and choppy seas.
Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said there were many areas of the island that has been badly affected by the storm.
"In the Timur Laut district, eight areas were affected whereby trees fell but the most serious incident involved the antenna at the Umno building in Jalan Macalister toppling over.
"Two areas in Seberang Perai Tengah were affected, 10 areas in Seberang Perai Utara and one area in the Barat Daya district," he told reporters, according to Bernama.
"In the Timur Laut district, eight areas were affected whereby trees fell but the most serious incident involved the antenna at the Umno building in Jalan Macalister toppling over.
"Two areas in Seberang Perai Tengah were affected, 10 areas in Seberang Perai Utara and one area in the Barat Daya district," he told reporters, according to Bernama.
CM: Let's help clean it up
Speaking to reporters at the scene of the incident later, Lim said the state is looking into ways to handle the situation after security and cleaning works have been done in the area."Everyone now is in a state of shock. We are assessing the damage and how to get this road, which is heavily used by vehicles, back to normal again so as to not disrupt the traffic," he said.
"Safety measures are all in force and we are doing our best to clear the damages. We will help out not only here but in all areas in Penang and we are now awaiting further reports," he added."For fallen trees in other areas, the local councils, district office and other departments have been roped in to clear them off the roads," he stressed.
Accompanying Lim was Deputy Chief Minister I Rashid Hasnon.
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