News: Supervisor killed in gas explosion

MALACCA: The much-anticipated opening of the largest AEON Jusco outlet in the country in Jalan Legenda, Bachang, here is likely to be postponed following a gas explosion that killed a 25-year-old supervisor and injured 16 others. The explosion is believed to have occurred at the food court section on the ground floor of the three-storey complex just before 1pm yesterday when workers and tenants were busy making final preparations for Thursday’s grand opening.

The force of the blast blew a 2m-wide hole in the building’s wall, showering glass and debris over a 25m radius and causing a small fire. Firemen from the Kubu station, who arrived six minutes after receiving a distress call, found two injured victims lying outside the building. Intensive damage: The glass and ceiling panels of this restaurant were completely shattered by the explosion. Tiau See Peing, a supervisor from Batu Pahat at the Old Town White Coffee, was found dead with a neck wound caused by flying debris. Other victims were pulled out alive from the rubble. State fire department operations deputy director R. Ezhumalai said the blast is believed to have been caused by a gas leak when workers were testing gas meters from the centralised liquid petroleum gas system.

“Several survivors mentioned there was a smell of gas shortly before the blast,” he said at the scene, adding that the injuries and damage came mostly from the blast and flying debris.
“We are still investigating to determine the exact location of the blast and what may have caused it.” At press time, seven victims were reported to have suffered serious injuries while three are in critical condition. They have been warded at the Malacca Hospital.
Six other victims received outpatient treatment. Meanwhile, state Human Resources Committee chairman Datuk Yaakub Md Amin said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health had been directed to investigate the blast, adding that investigations would focus on whether the contractors had followed safety measures. Source: The Star Malaysia 14/12/09

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My Comments: Well, we have been hearing accidents happening again and this time a different news which is the mall explosion. What have the authorities done is causing this big mistake? Although only 1 lives claimed staked this time and 16 others injured, the authorities must made responsible for this incident and please sentence them to death after failing to ensure their workers safety in their workplace. There is no excuses otherwise many lives will be claimed in future. A sad news but Life Must Go On......