Three construction workers escape death after building collapses

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Three construction workers escaped death after they were saved when a building still under construction at the Gombak Terminal LRT Putra station here collapsed early Thursday (May 23) morning.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Nordin Pauzi said two of the victims, who were Indonesian nationals, were saved early this morning while a third, a Bangladeshi, whose hand was trapped in the rubble, was rescued six hours later.

“He was found at 7.16 am with his hand trapped in the rubble, we had to cut part of it in order to rescue him and take him to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for treatment.

“The collapse was believed to have been caused by a weak structure but investigations are still being conducted.

"The collapse involved the entry route into the parking area and construction work has been stopped for now,” he told reporters at the scene.

Nordin said the department was still patrolling the area with tracker dogs (K9) for victims who may still be trapped under the rubble.

Meanwhile, Fire Department Operations Commander M. Murugiah said an emergency call was received through the MERS 999 line at about 1.13am, and a vehicle and 46 fire and rescue personnel from the Wangsa Maju and Gombak Selatan fire stations were rushed to the scene. - Bernama