AUTHORITIES are still determining how many victims were involved in the fatal landslide at a road construction site in Paya Terubong, Penang today.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department chief commissioner Saadon Mokhtar said there are six confirmed victims based on information from eyewitnesses and family members.

Three of the confirmed victims have already been found. Two are deceased while the other escaped with a broken leg.

Saadon said the two dead workers were a Bangladeshi named Attrul, 35, and an Indonesian named Samsul, 19.

The worker who was rescued with a broken leg is being treated at the Penang Hospital. His nationality is unconfirmed.

“The victims were found close to each other under the containers.

“There were six containers on the hill that had come down in the landslide. The containers fell from quite high up. We were told there were some wooden sheds too but we can’t confirm how many as they are all shattered.”

Saadon said apart from the other three who have not been found, rescuers were told there are seven more people missing.

“But the information cannot be verified yet. We could not confirm their locations when the landslide happened.

“We will inform you when we know. We will continue searching around the clock as long as there are people still missing.

“We are now waiting for the canine unit from Kuala Lumpur to arrive to help find the victims or to confirm there are no more victims. The unit is on the way,” he told the media.

Saadon said when the incident happened, a number of workers were at the site’s canteen and they saw the landslide happen.

He also said the operation to find the victims also involved the department’s Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team units from Kedah and Perlis, the police, hospital, the civil defence department, and other governmental agencies.

“We have a manpower of over 100 personnel.” – October 19, 2018.