One killed in bridge collapse
> 5 other workers injured, 1 still trapped
KUALA LUMPUR: A pedestrian bridge being built to link the RM7 billion KL Eco City project to Mid Valley Megamall collapsed yesterday, killing a construction worker and injuring five others. One worker was still trapped under the rubble at press time.
“The Fire and Rescue Department and K9 dog unit personnel have been deployed to assist in search and rescue operations to locate the remaining victim,” Brickfields district police chief ACP Shahrul Othman told reporters at the scene yesterday.
He said a total of seven victims, aged between 25 and 32, were involved in the tragedy.
The deceased is believed to be Vietnamese.
The five injured were sent to University Malaya Medical Centre for treatment. Four of them are in critical condition.
Work on the KL Eco City project – a mixed development comprising three residential towers, one serviced apartments tower, three corporate office towers, 12 boutique office blocks and one retail podium – started in 2011 and is scheduled to be fully completed by 2023.
City Fire and Rescue Department chief operations officer Samsol Maarif Saibani said the department was alerted to the incident at 3.33pm.
Checks by theSun showed at least six fire engines with 30 fire and rescue personnel at the scene.
The five victims were rescued from the rubble at about 6pm. They included Bangladeshis, Vietnamese and Sabahans. The workers were having a late lunch under the bridge when it collapsed on them.
Samsol said the structure had been completed about four months ago.
“When the incident happened, architectural and finishing work was being conducted on the structure,” he said, adding that building plans for the bridge had been approved.
“Since the incident, the work along the pedestrian walkway has been halted and workers will not be allowed to access the area.
Samsol added that the bridge had flipped when it fell.