GEORGE TOWN: An electrical pole next to SMK Convent Pulau Tikus was damaged after being struck by a falling tree at Lebuh Maktab on Friday (April 15).

       Fortunately, no one was injured in the 11.50am incident as the school was closed for Good Friday.

       SMK Convent Pulau Tikus principal Khaw Juat Woon who informed The Star about the incident said she heard a loud bang while she was doing painting work at the school canteen with other teachers.

       "We then went out to check what had happened, and we saw the tree had fallen and an electrical pole was affected," she said.

       She said luckily it was a school holiday and it would be much worse if it happened while there were a lot of students.

       She said she then made a call to Penang Island City Council to inform them about the incident.

       Works to clear the road are ongoing while police are controlling the traffic flow at the scene.

       The tree, a Semarak Api or Delonix Regia, is abundant in the area and is believed to have been more than 70 years old.

       The tree originated from Madagascar and can be found in many tropical countries in the world.