George town: Two Sri Lankan tourists were injured after debris from a heritage building fell on them along Armenian Street, a popular tourist spot here, today.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Penang Fire and Rescue Department assistant director of operations John Sagun Francis stated that the victims were identified as Mohamad Ammtar, 66, and Fatimah, 55. Firefighters from the Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station were dispatched to the scene after receiving an emergency call at 1.11 pm. Debris comprising stones and a wooden beam from a first-floor beam fell on the victims, who received initial treatment from Health Ministry personnel at the scene before being taken to Penang Hospital for further treatment.
The couple, who were tourists, were scheduled to return to Sri Lanka tomorrow. The affected building houses a grocery shop on the ground floor, while the upper floor appeared to be unoccupied. In response to the incident, the Penang government has urged owners of heritage buildings to carry out safety inspections.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai mentioned that George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and MBPP had been asked to issue an advisory to owners of heritage buildings across the state. He emphasized the necessity of ensuring the structural safety of old and heritage buildings to prevent similar occurrences. He stressed that attention should not be limited to the building involved in today's incident, as all heritage and old buildings must be inspected to ensure safety for pedestrians and visitors.
Wong added that the state government is awaiting a full report from the authorities to determine the cause of the incident and that immediate assistance would be extended to the two tourists, with the state government contacting the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to coordinate the necessary support. He highlighted that the state government views the incident seriously, considering it not only injured two tourists but also involved safety in a heritage area frequented by visitors.
Meanwhile, State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye indicated that the structural failure at the building was believed to have been caused by termite damage to a wooden beam. He proposed that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) undertake termite inspections of old buildings, particularly those within the George Town heritage site. H'ng urged owners of old and heritage buildings to engage professional engineers or building surveyors for regular structural inspections.