VIDEO l 1.30 min

The search for the body of missing Penang hawker Lim Chin Aik was called off at 8am today after his family gave its consent to the decision.

NONEChin Aik’s (left) body is believed to be trapped in a crater in Jalan Macalister caused by the impact of a 50m-long lightning rod that fell from Menara Umno during a storm last Thursday night.

Neither his remains nor his belongings have been discovered since the search began the next day.

However, parts of his car - a Honda City - have since been found.

"We decided to call off (the search) after being informed that the surrounding buildings might be at risk if the digging continues," Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik told reporters.

"We received advice from the Penang Municipal Council engineers that we need to consider the safety of building structures along Jalan Macalister.”

NONEHe also said the state government had received advice from the Penang Island Municipal Council engineering department.

About 7.55am, reporters were informed that the Special Team Operations Rescue Management had found the back seat and tyre of Chin Aik's car.

Chin Aik’s brother - Khung Ling - thanked the team for working tirelessly.

"I would also like to thank those volunteers who have been helping us a lot over this period, " he added.

The storm also claimed the lives of two others, and injured five people.

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