The Penang Fire and Rescue Department has confirmed that Komtar remains safe for public use following a safety inspection carried out after the death of an 18-year-old student who fell from the building last week.
During an inspection on Monday, officers assessed the building’s structural and fire safety, focusing on Level 68 of The TOP Komtar, which investigators believe is the most likely location where the student fell.
Penang Fire and Rescue Department Zone One chief Jamil said the guardrails at the Rainbow Skywalk on Level 68 are higher than the average adult’s height, making an accidental fall unlikely under normal circumstances.
He added that Level 65 is a restricted area that is not accessible to the public without staff supervision, leading investigators to believe Level 68 is the more probable location.
According to Jamil, several pieces of evidence support this assessment, including an admission ticket and wristband for the Rainbow Skywalk found on the deceased, as well as the student’s backpack and laptop, which were left on Level 68.
As there were no eyewitnesses, police are continuing their investigation using witness statements, CCTV footage and other evidence. The CCTV recordings are currently being examined by the police.
Jamil also said that, to the best of his knowledge, this is the first fatal fall reported since the Komtar tower began operations.
Following the incident, the building’s management is expected to review additional safety measures, including enhanced CCTV monitoring and increased on-site patrols.
The Fire and Rescue Department stressed that the building complies with all fire safety and structural requirements. As the incident did not involve a fire or any breach of building safety regulations, the department has no authority or reason to order the building’s closure, and the public may continue to visit the premises as usual.
The incident occurred at about 4pm on July 24, when the 18-year-old student was found on a rooftop platform after falling from a height.
Earlier, Northeast Penang Island district police chief Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rozak confirmed that investigations found no evidence of foul play, and the case has been classified as a sudden death.
