Over 100 Injured In Malaysia Gas Explosion
A gas explosion in Malaysia’s largest city on Tuesday morning injured more than 100 people.
A fire, which lasted for hours, broke out near a gas station in Putra Heights, just outside Kuala Lumpur, during a public holiday marking the second day of Eid celebrations.
National oil company Petronas confirmed that the fire began at one of its gas pipelines at 8:10 am (1:10 am GMT+1), reports AP.
The affected pipeline was isolated, and disaster management officials assured that shutting the valves would eventually extinguish the fire.
Firefighters were able to approach the scene by 2:45 pm (7:45 am GMT+1), according to the Selangor state fire department.
Authorities reported that 112 people sustained injuries, with 63 requiring hospitalisation for burns, breathing difficulties, and other ailments. The fire also damaged 49 houses in the vicinity.
Selangor Deputy Police Chief Mohamad Zaini Abu Hassan confirmed the injuries, while Selangor Chief Minister Amirudin Shari stated that nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution and temporarily housed in mosques.
Lee Weng Ken, a resident who suffered burns on his left leg, recalled his shock when his ceiling collapsed and crushed his parked vehicle.
“I rushed out, but I fell and got burned due to the intense heat,” he told Bernama news agency.
Another victim, identified only as Andy, also speaking to Bernama, recounted how he and his children fled their home upon feeling the tremors.
“I managed to drive my car out, but my 18-year-old daughter injured her foot when she fell while climbing the fence to escape the heat,” he said.
As a precaution, Petronas temporarily closed three gas stations in the area, though they were not directly affected by the fire.
Authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the pipeline rupture.
Over 100 Injured In Malaysia Gas Explosion is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
