Massive tree collapse kills 47-year-old man on busy road in Malaysia

A massive tree collapsed onto one of Kuala Lumpur's busiest streets on Tuesday (May 7), resulting in the death of a man and injuries to two others.

Monorail services were disrupted, and over a dozen cars were damaged, according to officials. Social media videos and photos showed the uprooted tree sprawled across Jalan Sultan Ismail road, close to the Petronas Twin Towers, amid heavy traffic.

The body of a 47-year-old man was retrieved from the site by police and firefighters, while 17 vehicles were affected by the incident, as reported by Reuters.

According to a police official, a 26-year-old ride-share driver from Malaysia and his 72-year-old Swedish passenger were injured and hospitalised for treatment.

Photographs displayed some of the tree's branches extending onto an elevated monorail track that runs alongside the road.

The monorail operator announced a delay in services due to the incident.

Also watch |Malaysia announces 13%+ salary increase for civil servants

Besides,Malaysia's Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, has announcedthat civil servants' salaries will increase by over 13 per centstarting December. This decision comes in response to increasingprices, a devalued ringgit (Malaysian currency), and plansto overhaul subsidies.

Anwar had previously promised reductions in subsidies and increased taxes this year, alongside reallocating financial assistance to those in need. Analysts have cautioned about potential inflation and increased fuel expenses resulting from these subsidy cuts, especially with declining exports and a slowdown in economic growth.

The ringgit has weakened 3.9 per centagainst the dollar this year, having fallen to a 26-year-old low in February.

(With inputs from agencies)