Three Bangladeshi migrant workers were killed when a building under construction collapsed on Tuesday in Malaysia's Penang state, the Bangladesh High Commission said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
According to a press release from the High Commission, the victims were Mokaddes Ali, a resident of Bogras Shibganj, Saiful Islam, a resident of Kumiras Devidwar, and Ahad Ali, a resident of Pavnath Chatmohar.
The bodies of the deceased were kept at Penang General Hospital.
Investigators said they were working to get the body home and obtain compensation from the victim's employer.
Penang Deputy Police Chief Mohamed Usuf Jan Mohamad said a beam about 12 meters long and weighing about 14 tonnes fell during the incident, along with 14 other beams.
There were 18 workers at the site, but nine of them were praying at the time of the incident.
"So far, we have identified the three deceased. Two died at the scene and another at the hospital. We believe there are four more victims still trapped under the collapsed structure," he said, adding that all workers are Bangladeshis.
The mission said two injured workers had been rescued from the scene and were being treated at Penang General Hospital, adding that the incident occurred at around 9:44:44 pm (local time) on Tuesday.
Rescue operations are ongoing and further details of the incident will be announced once the operation is complete.
Malaysia's English newspaper The Star reported Wednesday that rescue teams were continuing to search for four missing workers believed to be trapped under the rubble.