GEORGE TOWN, April 23 — Panic reigned when a security guard dropped a shotgun causing it to discharge nine shots onto a counter wall, where three workers and another guard were stationed.

Fortunately, all of them escaped unharmed in the mishap that occurred at 5.30am, yesterday at Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) office at Jalan Mahsuri, Bayan Baru, here.

Penang Police deputy chief, Datuk A. Thaiveegan said the police had arrested the 56-year-old guard after receiving the report but he was later released on police bail.

However the police had seized the guard’s firearms licence and the shotgun.

“The guard is from Balik Pulau and has been working in the office since three years ago,” he said after visiting Penang Hospital in conjunction of the 208th Police Day.

During the visit, Thaiveegan handed over 40 hampers to disabled patients and several policemen, who are undergoing treatment at C9 and C10 wards in the hospital.

Meanwhile, he advised security companies in the state to hold scheduled briefing to their staff in reminding them to always be ready in any condition. — Bernama