BUTTERWORTH – Two individuals were killed after being trapped in a car that caught fire following an accident along Jalan Pekan Darat heading towards Sungai Lokan early Saturday morning.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) director, Mohamad Shoki Hamzah, confirmed the incident when contacted by reporters. He said the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames when rescue teams arrived at the scene.
“There were two victims who were burned in the incident.
The operation to remove the victims is currently underway,” he said.
The identities of the victims have yet to be determined as investigations are still ongoing.
According to early reports, the fire broke out shortly after the vehicle veered off the road and crashed. The intensity of the blaze made it difficult for rescuers to reach the victims in time.
A video clip showing the burning vehicle went viral on Facebook, sparking shock and sadness among netizens. The footage showed the car engulfed in flames by the roadside, with witnesses attempting to alert emergency services.
Some online users claimed that three individuals were inside the car at the time of the incident, but authorities have yet to confirm this information.
As of now, JBPM’s Operations Centre is expected to release an official statement once the recovery and investigation processes are completed.
Meanwhile, police have urged the public not to speculate on the cause of the fire or the number of victims until verified information is released.
Authorities also reminded motorists to drive carefully, especially on roads with limited lighting and high accident risks during early morning hours.
This latest fatal accident adds to the rising number of road tragedies reported across Penang this month, raising renewed concern over driver safety and road conditions in the area.