GEORGE TOWN, June 7- Three people were hurt by falling concrete and steel girders when the interchange ramp of the Second Penang Bridge collapsed tonight.
Two of the victims were construction workers Slamat, 36, from Indonesia and Tin Maung Iwin, 39, from Myanmar.
Both were admitted to Penang Hospital and reported to be in stable condition.
Penang deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said the foreign workers were working at the project site when the incident occured at about 7.15pm.
The other person hurt was Thilasheni Rajendran, 24, who was hit by falling debris on the hand.
Thilasheni who was driving managed to stop her car about two metres away from the scene of the collapse.
Her friend Gajashaantini Gajanujan, 24, who also was in the car escaped unhurt.
Abdul Rahim said over 300 firemen and policemen were searching for victims in another car believed buried in the rubble.
He regretted news portal reports that four people were killed in the incident.
“Until now only three were hurt. The media should make accurate reports. Rescuers are trying to locate a Proton Wira believed trapped in the rubble.”
Abdul Rahim said the rescuers were forced to use bigger cranes when the cranes supplied by the construction company failed to lift the concrete.
Construction work was halted to facilitate investigation and the entry and exit routes to the area were closed to all vehicles.
A spokesman for Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB) said the collapse in Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu near Batu Maung is under investigation.
The bridge exit route project is implemented by Cergas Murni Sdn Bhd. JKSB will issue an official statement tomorrow.
-BERNAMA
