GEORGE TOWN: A 73-year-old man was killed when a landslide struck the rear of his house in Taman Seri Rambai, Paya Terubong, this morning, according to the Penang Fire and Rescue Department.
Its assistant director of the Fire and Rescue Operations Division, John Sagun Francis, said Wong Kar Lin was trapped beneath the earth at his house, a Class A property at Air Itam.
“The trapped victim was pronounced dead at 9.10am by Ministry of Health personnel who attended the scene,” he said in a statement today.
His wife, Chang Mei Nuo, 68, and their son, Wong Pin Khiam, 35, were reported safe in the department’s 10.33am update.
John said the department received an emergency call at 8.36am and dispatched personnel from the Paya Terubong fire station, about 2km from the scene. The team arrived at 8.38am.
“The operations commander reported receiving initial information from the caller that there were two occupants in the house, one of whom had managed to get out while the other was believed to still be trapped,” he said.
However, a subsequent assessment confirmed that three people were involved, with Wong Kar Lin trapped beneath the earth.
Seven personnel, including a supervisor, took part in the search-and-rescue operation led by operations commander Salyvretddysuni Satu.
The team was supported by a light fire and rescue tender and an emergency medical rescue services vehicle. Police personnel were also at the scene to assist.
John said the operations commander assessed the scene and instructed the rescue team to search for the person believed to be trapped beneath the landslide.
“The search-and-rescue team is carrying out work to retrieve the victim. Further updates would be provided as information became available,” he said.
Details on the cause of the landslide and the extent of damage to the house were not immediately available.
The landslide occurred amid overnight rain in Penang, which had caused flash floods, fallen trees and other slope-related incidents in several areas.