Penang warehouse collapse: I am grateful I took a break and came down early, says worker

Workers Mohidul Islam (left) and Md Ikhtiar managed to escape the building before the collapse. - Photo: Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: I am very grateful to have come down early, otherwise I could be one of the victims, says Mohidul Islam, 43, one of the workers involved in the construction of the logistics warehouse in Batu Maung, Bayan Lepas, that collapsed on Tuesday (Nov 29) night.

Mohidul, a Bangladeshi national, said he was with four others doing carpentry work on the top floor of the warehouse when he decided to take a break and left his workstation.

ALSO READ: Penang warehouse collapse: SAR ops expected to end at noon, says Bayan Lepas rep

"Suddenly, I heard a loud noise and the situation became chaotic after realising that there was a collapse of the structure that was under construction.

"Most of us here have only been working at this project site for three months...I am very sad because I have friends who died in the incident,” he said when met at the scene Wednesday (Nov 29).

ALSO READ: Penang warehouse collapse: Stop work order issued, council denies project in a rush

Another worker, Md Ikhtiar, 38, said it was about 9.40pm and he was working on the ground floor when he suddenly felt the structure of the building swaying.

"I immediately left the building after hearing screams from other workers and then saw the building collapse.

"One of the victims managed to be pulled out from the rubble, but his condition was bad and he died shortly after," he added.

ALSO READ: Penang building collapse: Three dead, two seriously injured, four believed still trapped, say police

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), in a statement this morning, said its team was having problems lifting the fallen beams to get to the victims buried under the rubble and that cranes were used to lift the heavy beam structures.

Earlier, Penang deputy police chief Datuk Mohamad Usuf Jan Mohamad, in a press conference, confirmed three Bangladeshi workers died in the incident, two others were seriously injured and four were feared to be still buried.

He said the police were informed about the incident at 9.45pm.

As of 6am Wednesday, four victims were reported to be still buried in the rubble, three are confirmed dead and two seriously injured are receiving treatment at Penang Hospital. - Bernama