Danger warnings ignored before fatal dragon boat capsize


GRIEVING families and upset Malay-sians are questioning if breaches of safety precautions led to the deaths of a teacher and five students when their dragon boat capsized on Sunday.

The questions raised include the wisdom of changing the Penang Pesta Open dragon boat competition venue — from the Teluk Bahang dam to the fisherman’s jetty off Jelutong Express-way which has strong undercurrents and heavy marine traffic.

Another is the disclosure by the state education department that the ill-fated dragon boat team did not seek approval and get clearance to train there.

Related Stories: Chung Ling mourns tragedy It’s only the dam now for Penang dragon boat races Ensure proper safety measures, organisers told Learn lesson from mishap Bodies of four missing students found Lament of a distraught parent Multiple blunders blamed for dragon boat tragedy RM84mil allocated for rescue equipment

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