On April 1, a powerful explosion occurred in Malaysia on a gas pipeline in the Putra Heights area, near Kuala Lumpur. As a result of the event, more than 100 people were injured, of which more than 60 were hospitalized. The explosion caused significant damage to residential buildings, informs DW.
The fire on the gas pipeline started after a gas leak, and the column of fire could be seen several kilometers away. At 08:23 local time, rescue services received a signal about an explosion and fire. The fire broke out near residential areas, and several buildings caught fire as a result of the explosion.
Rescuers are working on the spot and are continuing to search for possible victims. The authorities announced the evacuation of residents from nearby areas. It is also possible that there may be fatalities as a result of the incident. The fire also damaged at least 49 homes, firefighters said.
Selangor Disaster Management Committee chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi said people remained in their homes in Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru village and rescue operations were ongoing.
The company Petronas, which acts as the operator of the affected gas pipeline, confirmed the fact of the fire and reported that three nearby gas stations temporarily stopped work for safety reasons. Company representatives also stated that an investigation is currently underway to find out the cause of the incident.
Photo: dw.com
