BAYAN LEPAS, November 30 – In Bayan Lepas, the police have confirmed the absence of any more individuals trapped beneath the rubble of a logistics warehouse collapse in Batu Maung. This affirmation follows the successful escape of four individuals, originally feared trapped, who managed to free themselves around 9 p.m. yesterday. Deputy Police Chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad stated that investigations using construction site camera footage revealed the four Bangladeshi individuals near the incident site at 9:06 p.m. They were found to have fled in fear before being detected and apprehended by the police at 4 p.m. today.
Earlier concerns were raised when information from the employer suggested that the four individuals might be trapped under the rubble. However, scrutiny of the camera footage dispelled this notion, indicating that the individuals were present at the scene and had escaped before being tracked down. They were subsequently arrested in Bayan Lepas around 4 p.m. today, believed to have fled due to a lack of permits. The operation, led by the Penang Fire and Rescue Department, utilized various methods, including excavation, aerial monitoring, and canine units. The operation concluded with authorities confirming no trapped victims, and investigations are underway to determine the incident’s cause.
As the operation wrapped up, Deputy Director of the Penang Fire and Rescue Department Zulfahmi Sutaji mentioned a reduction in personnel at the site but affirmed their readiness to respond to any new developments or needs. The total victim count remains at five, with three fatalities and two in critical condition at Penang Hospital. Police have initiated a sudden death investigation, and findings from investigations by other agencies will be transferred to the police for classification. The three individuals who lost their lives in the collapse were identified as Mohd Sayful Islam, 29, Md Ahed Ali, 42, and Mohammad Mokaddes Ali, 46, while the two survivors, Md Uzzal Mridha, 30, and Md Razu Ahamad, 33, are receiving medical attention for their injuries.
