GEORGE TOWN: A chunk of concrete wall collapsed from the 12th floor of a commercial building here on Monday (Oct 27).
In the 12.15pm incident, a fragment of a 3-inch-thick wall reportedly plunged down to the ground floor area, nearly hitting members of the public passing by during the busy lunchtime hour.
The incident has caused panic among the public who were shocked by the loud crashing sound.
A Penang Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said a team of 10 firemen was dispatched to the location when they received a distress call from the public.
"Initial inspection found that no victims were involved in the mishap," said the spokesman.
Fearing the risk of a secondary collapse, the Fire and Rescue Department took swift action by ordering an immediate building evacuation.
The spokesman said firemen acted quickly by installing temporary barriers to cordon off all high-risk areas.
He said the Fire Department has provided advice and issued warnings to all occupants not to enter the restricted zone until the area is declared safe.
