BAYAN LEPAS: The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has issued a stop work order for a construction site near the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) in Batu Maung near here which collapsed last night.

Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the stop work order was issued to the developer and engineer of the project this morning.

"We have issued an immediate stop work order this morning.

"The project's consultant engineer is also on-site to provide the necessary information to the authorities on the search and recovery efforts," he said at the scene this morning.

Police officers guard the entrance to the site of the collapse at the construction site site near the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) in Batu Maung. - NSTP/MIKAIL ONG
Police officers guard the entrance to the site of the collapse at the construction site site near the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) in Batu Maung. - NSTP/MIKAIL ONG

Rajendran said the city council had given permission to the project developer to proceed with works at night.

"This is a fast track project and the project is on track.

"We have given permission for works to be carried out at night as the site is far from any residential," he added.

Police have confirmed that three people died while two others were seriously injured when the building under construction collapsed last night.

Deputy state police chief Datuk Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said two of the three victims died at the scene, while the other died at the hospital.

The two injured were being treated at the Penang Hospital.

All of them are Bangladeshi nationals.

The search is on for another four victims.

Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the stop work order was issued to the developer and engineer of the project this morning.- NSTP/MIKAIL ONG
Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the stop work order was issued to the developer and engineer of the project this morning.- NSTP/MIKAIL ONG