Two tourists, a father and daughter from China, died in Penang, Malaysia, on 18 September after their car was crushed by an uprooted tree. The incident occurred around 2:15 pm after they had visited the Pinang Peranakan Mansion in George Town. The woman, in her 30s, was seated in the front passenger seat, while the man, in his 50s, was in the back. The car was driven by a local man who managed to escape before the tree fell. The rescue operation, complicated by heavy rain and limited space, took about three hours to extricate the bodies.
Background
The tragic event happened just after the father and daughter had finished their visit to the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, a popular tourist attraction. The Northeast District police chief, Ramlam Ab Hamid, confirmed the victims were Chinese tourists. The Chinese Consulate in Penang has been informed about the incident. The storm that caused the tree to fall had led to hundreds of fallen trees in over 130 locations in Penang over the past two days.
Video of incident
A video of the incident showed a woman taking a photo of the mansion before heading to the car. At that moment, another car was exiting the site via the single-lane gate. A car to the right of the victims’ vehicle also had occupants inside. Several people were walking around the compound near the vehicles but moved away just before the tree fell. The tree’s branches and leaves were seen shaking intensely due to the wind before collapsing. A nearby building was also damaged.
Rescue efforts
The rescue operation was particularly challenging due to the heavy rain and the confined space at the site. It took about three hours for the fire and rescue department to extricate the bodies of the two victims. The local driver of the car managed to escape before the tree fell, avoiding injury.
Storm impact
The storm that led to this tragic incident had caused significant damage across Penang. Over the past two days, hundreds of trees had fallen in more than 130 locations due to the severe weather. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) had announced plans to cut down 54 trees deemed at risk of falling in severe weather, just hours before the incident occurred.
Future implications
This tragic event highlights the need for immediate action to address the risks posed by unstable trees during severe weather. The Penang Island City Council’s plans to cut down at-risk trees may need to be expedited to prevent further incidents. The Chinese Consulate in Penang is likely to follow up on the incident, ensuring that the victims’ families receive the necessary support and that measures are taken to improve safety for tourists in the area.
