GEORGE TOWN: Two people were killed and another injured when a tree grown inside a historical building here came crashing down on their vehicle today.
One of the deceased has been identified as Chinese national Liu Xin Xin, 36.
The other person who died is believed to be her father in his 50s. Their bodies were trapped inside the vehicle after the tree was uprooted by a storm and fell on it.
The injured survivor was a 52-year-old woman.
Fire and Rescue Department northeast district zone officer Mohd Syafiq Nor Azman said firefighters took three hours to extricate the two victims.
"When we arrived, we found a tree had uprooted and landed on three cars. In one of the cars, we saw two passengers, each in the front and back seat, being trapped.
"It took us three hours to retrieve the two victims, both of whom were Chinese nationals. The man is in his 50s while the woman is in her 30s.
"Both were confirmed dead," he told newsmen at the scene, adding that at the time of the incident, both victims had just gotten inside the car after visiting the tourist attraction.
Elaborating, Syafiq said the huge tree, which was attached to the building, had uprooted in a storm.
The fallen tree had also damaged part of the building, where the concrete debris also landed on the three vehicles.
"We believe the incident could have been due to the heavy rain and strong winds, which hit Penang in recent days," he added.
The injured woman, known as Har, said they were about to leave for a meal prior to the incident.
"We waited as there was an incoming car. All of a sudden, the tree came crashing down on us, and I honked for help.
"Rescuers managed to pull me out, but not the father and daughter," she added.
As they were trapped in the wreckage, Har said she recalled holding Liu's hand as she succumbed to her injuries.