Stability issue hits barge at Silicon Island project site; no injuries reported
GEORGE TOWN: A barge operating at the sand rehandling station of the Penang Silicon Island project site experienced a stability issue this morning.
Fortunately, all 11 crew members on board, comprising two Malaysians, one Chinese national and eight Indonesian nationals, were successfully rescued without injury.
Silicon Island Development Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Farizan Darus said initial assessments indicated that operational factors, including a possible discharge pipe issue, had affected the hopper load during offloading.
"Our emergency response team was immediately deployed to the site to manage the situation.
"This includes implementing precautionary measures to contain any potential oil spillage," he said in a statement this evening.
Farizan said the Marine Department, the Department of Environment (DOE), and other relevant agencies were promptly notified of the incident.
"The project developer is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities, and Penang Infrastructure Corporation Sdn Bhd will continue to monitor the situation closely," he said.
Earlier today, it was reported that reclamation works for the Penang Silicon Island project were progressing smoothly, with some 60ha reclaimed as of last month, since work commenced in September 2023.
State Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said the reclaimed area accounted for around 6.5 per cent of the total 920ha designated for Silicon Island.
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