KUALA LUMPUR: Rescuers have deployed tracker dogs to track down one victim trapped in the rubble following the collapse of a pedestrian bridge at KL Eco City near Mid Valley Megamall, today.
City Fire and Rescue Department acting deputy director Samsol Maarif Saibani said rescuers are still sifting through the rubble to locate the victim.
“We have deployed the K9 unit to track the victim,” he told reporters at the scene.
It remains unknown whether the missing victim is Malaysian or a foreign national.
In total, four victims have been sent to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). The fourth victim was rescued from the rubble at 5.35pm.
The four rescued victims were Bangladeshi and Vietnamese, as well as a Sabahan.
Meanwhile, the authorities confirmed that one construction worker died in the tragedy. The worker is believed to have drowned in the river below after falling when the structure gave way.
The under-construction pedestrian bridge reportedly gave way at 3.30pm.
One of the construction workers, a Vietnamese, said the bridge began construction six months ago.
He said workers were having their lunch break and were seated under the bridge when the tragedy occurred.
“The workers were installing mirror panels just before the incident. The others were having their lunch break.
“When the structure came down, those under the bridge were buried under the concrete,” he told the New Straits Times.
Meanwhile, SP Setia confirmed that the incident took place at the Abdullah Hukum project site.
The company said that at approximately 3.30pm, the pedestrian link to the Mid Valley Megamall, which was under construction, gave way.
The company said it immediately notified the Fire and Rescue Services, police and medical services together with the Department of Occupational Safety and Health.
“The project team is still assessing the situation and is working closely with the relevant authorities,” said the company, adding that the number of casualties is still being determined.
The company said that as of 6pm, one worker died in the incident.
“The team is unable to provide further details as investigations are ongoing. We deeply regret the incident and will update in due course,” said the company.