Joint probe on mall explosion
MALACCA: Authorities here will conduct a joint probe to determine the cause of the deadly blast at the AEON Jusco mall in Bachang that killed a 25-year-old man while injuring 20 others on Monday.
The probe, to be carried out by the Fire and Rescue Services Department, the Malaysian Energy Commission and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will focus on the possibility of gas leakage and human error as factors resulting in the gas explosion.
However, investigations can only proceed after the centralised gas piping system in the building is purged of trapped gas to prevent a second blast.
DOSH deputy operations director Mohtar Musri said the section of the food court affected by the explosion was still deemed unsafe as there is the risk that loose ceiling panels might collapse in the event of a second explosion.
“Our priority is securing the affected area to ensure that it is safe for those investigating the scene.
“At the moment, there may still be gas trapped along the piping system,” he said when met at scene here on Tuesday.
Although unable to pinpoint the cause of the explosion, he said an initial probe suggested a leakage in the gas piping system and a lack of coordination between those responsible for the installation of gas supply to the food court.
“Gas from the bullet tank is channeled through the pipeline and is supplied to the kitchens.
“It is likely that there was a leak somewhere along the piping system to the cooking area,” he said.
He added the blast caused extensive damage to six restaurants out of the 20 located in the area at the food court where the explosion happened.
Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation was mounted by the Fire and Rescue Department early Tuesday morning when three persons, whose identity cards were found in the rubble, were unaccounted for amongst those rescued on Monday.
The discovery of the identity cards belonging to two locals and a pass belonging to a foreign worker prompted a thorough search of the blast area which turned up negative.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Nik Zulkifli Ibrahim said authorities are trying to trace the whereabouts of local workers Mahusin Jusoh and Rominor Chik and foreign worker Mominul Islam.
“We carried out a thorough search of the area including sifting through the rubble and checking the ceilings but we did not find them.
“They may have left the scene after the blast and we hope that they will come forward to assist in our investigations,” he said.
Earlier, Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob visited the injured blast victims at the Malacca Hospital and the blast scene to see the extent of damage caused by the explosion.
By MARTIN CARVALHO and CHEN PELF YEEN
Dipetik Dari Star Online 15 Disember 2009
MALACCA: Authorities here will conduct a joint probe to determine the cause of the deadly blast at the AEON Jusco mall in Bachang that killed a 25-year-old man while injuring 20 others on Monday.
The probe, to be carried out by the Fire and Rescue Services Department, the Malaysian Energy Commission and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will focus on the possibility of gas leakage and human error as factors resulting in the gas explosion.
However, investigations can only proceed after the centralised gas piping system in the building is purged of trapped gas to prevent a second blast.
DOSH deputy operations director Mohtar Musri said the section of the food court affected by the explosion was still deemed unsafe as there is the risk that loose ceiling panels might collapse in the event of a second explosion.
“Our priority is securing the affected area to ensure that it is safe for those investigating the scene.
“At the moment, there may still be gas trapped along the piping system,” he said when met at scene here on Tuesday.
Although unable to pinpoint the cause of the explosion, he said an initial probe suggested a leakage in the gas piping system and a lack of coordination between those responsible for the installation of gas supply to the food court.
“Gas from the bullet tank is channeled through the pipeline and is supplied to the kitchens.
“It is likely that there was a leak somewhere along the piping system to the cooking area,” he said.
He added the blast caused extensive damage to six restaurants out of the 20 located in the area at the food court where the explosion happened.
Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation was mounted by the Fire and Rescue Department early Tuesday morning when three persons, whose identity cards were found in the rubble, were unaccounted for amongst those rescued on Monday.
The discovery of the identity cards belonging to two locals and a pass belonging to a foreign worker prompted a thorough search of the blast area which turned up negative.
State Fire and Rescue Department director Nik Zulkifli Ibrahim said authorities are trying to trace the whereabouts of local workers Mahusin Jusoh and Rominor Chik and foreign worker Mominul Islam.
“We carried out a thorough search of the area including sifting through the rubble and checking the ceilings but we did not find them.
“They may have left the scene after the blast and we hope that they will come forward to assist in our investigations,” he said.
Earlier, Malacca Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob visited the injured blast victims at the Malacca Hospital and the blast scene to see the extent of damage caused by the explosion.
By MARTIN CARVALHO and CHEN PELF YEEN
Dipetik Dari Star Online 15 Disember 2009
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