BAYAN LEPAS: The Fire and Rescue Department have had to come up with numerous strategies to move a 33-tonne beam for rescuers to get to the four trapped victims in the Batu Maung building collapse.
The main beam is believed to be what separates the rescuers from the victims, trapped in an area as big as a volleyball court.
Deputy state Fire and Rescue Department director Fire Assistant Commissioner Zulfahmi Sutaji said, once they are able to move the beam, then the approach to get to the victims might be easier.
"We initially thought it was a straight forward mission but when we tried to move the main beam, there was movement on the ground. We fear that this will worsen the situation.
"This will be our fourth time moving the main beam, and with the help from the consultant engineers, we had to change our strategy several times.
"We cannot expect what will happen but we are hoping for the very best," he told newsmen at the scene where a building under construction near the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia in Batu Maung collapsed last night.
Nine people are feared trapped under 15 beams, measuring 12m each and weighing 14 tonnes each.
As of now, rescuers have found five victims, three of whom died and another two seriously injured.
Zulfahmi also said that there was a possibility that the victims could be trapped inside hardened concrete.
He said this was because they were mixing the cement on the first floor, about 18m above the ground, prior to the incident.
"The concrete could have hardened but may not be compact," he added.
Meanwhile, Zulfahmi said the Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM) from Perak, Kedah and Penang are on standby to enter the site.
He said this also included the K9 unit.