THREE residents of Wisma Anak Yatim Perempuan Islam Penang on Jalan Scotland, George Town, were injured after the roof of a dormitory collapsed last night.

Northeast police chief Soffian Santong said the Fire and Rescue Department was alerted at 9.42pm, over a roof collapse at the dormitory, which housed 30 female residents ages 7-18 years.

“On arrival, the firemen found three girls aged eight, 10 and 13 years old suffering from injuries after being hit by falling roof debris in the dormitory room, and all of them were safely rescued from the room by two wardens and other residents.

“The fire department took the girls to Penang Hospital for examination, where they are in a stable condition but doctors will carry out further treatment,” he said at the scene last night.

He said the eight-year-old victim suffered minor injuries, while the 10-year-old complained of pain in the neck and the other one had back pain.

Soffian said, at the time of the incident, the girls were the only ones in the room, while the others were attending tuition classes, revising their lessons, resting and eating in the other parts of the hostel.

He said part of the roof in the 185sqm room collapsed, showering the three victims with debris, so police and fire department have decided to close the hostel.

“Based on the initial inspection, we decided to temporarily close this dormitory so that further inspections can be carried out.

“So far there are no suspected criminal elements in the incident,” he said.

He said the remaining residents will be temporarily housed at the Penang Islamic Boys Orphanage not far away.

“Nine of the residents will sit for their SPM tomorrow,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Orphan Welfare Federation of Penang president Mohd Yussof Latiff said he was surprised by the incident and thanked all parties who came forward to help save the residents.

“The dormitory has been operating since 1984 and is in good condition, it has been repaired and renovated several times before,” he said. – Bernama, November 9, 2022.