Two Chinese tourists killed by fallen tree in Malaysia's Penang

By Hoang Phong September 20, 2024 | 12:43 am PT

In this photo that has been shared on Facebook, rescue personnel can be seen trying to extricate the bodies of two Chinese tourists from a car crushed by a fallen tree in Penang, Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Penang Kini's Facebook

Two Chinese tourists were confirmed dead on Wednesday after an uprooted tree crushed their car on Penang Island in Malaysia.

The incident occurred at 2:15 p.m. as the father and daughter had just finished touring the Pinang Peranakan Mansion in George Town, Free Malaysia Today reported.

The woman was seated in the front passenger seat while her father sat in the back. The car was driven by a local man who managed to escape before the tree fell.

Authorities took approximately three hours to extricate the bodies of the two victims, as reported by The Star.

The victims were identified as Liu Zhu, 69, and his daughter Liu Xinxin, 36. They were scheduled to check out of their hotel on Thursday.

Police stated that they arrived in Penang on a direct flight from China on Sept. 14 for a holiday in Malaysia.

Authorities had informed the Chinese embassy and the victims' families about the incident.

The northern region of Malaysia has been hit by storms since Sept. 15, leading to chaos across Penang Island as over 200 roadside trees were toppled, crushing cars and damaging homes.