Search resumes in Penang landslide, six confirmed dead

The Fire and Rescue Department has resumed its search for the remaining workers trapped in a landslide at a construction site in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

The search effort, which was called off in the wee hours due to difficult working conditions, continued at 8am today.

To date, a total of six bodies have been found, with the last body being discovered at 3.59am.

Of the five dead workers, one was from Myanmar and two were from Bangladesh and Indonesia respectively. The sixth body had yet to be identified.

It was initially believed that 14 workers were buried by the landslide.

However, Berita Harian reported that three of the 14 workers who were on site at the time managed to escape.

This was confirmed by Fire and Rescue Department assistant director-general (operation and rescue) Edwin Galan Teruki.

He was quoted as saying that the three survivors, two from Bangladesh and one from Myanmar, were being treated at Penang General Hospital.

This leaves five more workers unaccounted for, including one Malaysian.

[More to follow]

-Mkini