2 tourists hurt after debris falls from Penang heritage building

On a popular tourist destination in George Town, two Sri Lankan visitors sustained injuries when debris descended from a heritage building on Armenian Street. The Sri Lankan tourists, identified as Mohamad Ammtar, aged 66, and Fatimah, 55, were struck by stones and timber falling from a first-floor beam. The duo were promptly transported to Penang Hospital for necessary medical attention.

According to John Sagun Francis, assistant director of operations at the Penang fire and rescue department, the tourists were set to depart for Sri Lanka the following day. The affected structure comprises a grocery store on the ground floor with an unoccupied upper storey. The Penang government swiftly issued a call for heritage building owners to conduct safety inspections post the incident.

Wong Hon Wai, chairman of the Penang state tourism committee, emphasized the importance of ensuring the structural integrity of old and heritage buildings to avert potential hazards for both locals and tourists. He further urged authorities to conduct comprehensive inspections of all heritage and old buildings, not solely the one involved in the recent event.

The state government is currently awaiting a detailed report to ascertain the cause of the incident, and has extended immediate assistance to the injured tourists. The Penang government has also reached out to the Sri Lankan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to facilitate the required support.