KUALA LUMPUR – A towering tree fell on a busy road in downtown Kuala Lumpur during strong winds and heavy rain on May 7, damaging a bus stop, trapping people in vehicles and killing at least one man, reported New Straits Times.

As the tree’s branches also fell on the monorail tracks above the road, operator Rapid KL said monorail services at nine stations between KL Sentral and Medan Tuanku have been suspended.

KL Monorail is part of the Rapid KL system.

The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department said two people were extricated from their cars in Jalan Sultan Ismail in front of Concorde Hotel, reported The Star.

“One of the victims, a 47-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene,” said the department’s assistant director, Mr M. Fatta M. Amin.

“The other victim, a 26-year-old man, suffered multiple injuries and was handed over to paramedics,” he said.

A 72-year-old Swedish woman, believed to be a passenger in the 26-year-man’s ride-hailing car, was also injured, reported The Star.

The incident also damaged 17 vehicles.

Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, told the media during a visit to the scene that the fallen tree was 50 years old, and had been inspected by certified arborists “once every two years”.

She added that guidelines on the maintenance of old trees in the Malaysian city – many of which are between 50 and 80 years old – are needed to prevent similar incidents due to unpredictable weather conditions.

In photos circulated online, people are seen helping to free drivers and passengers trapped in vehicles.

Over in Penang, a freak storm late in the evening on May 6 also uprooted trees at some 10 locations across the island, reported The Star.

The Penang Island City Council said debris had been cleared at all locations, except in Jalan Sungai Dua.

The work had to be suspended due to safety concerns and the need for heavy machinery.