Firemen outside the complex after rescuing blast victims
It was supposed to be a grand opening on Thursday for the largest AEON Jusco store in the country but it turned to tragedy Monday when a gas leak caused an explosion, causing the death of a supervisor and injuring 16 people,
Everything was in full swing with workers and tenants busy making final preparations for the opening when disaster struck just before 1pm at the complex in Jalan Lagenda, Bachang, Malacca.
The blast at the food court section on the ground floor of the three-storey complex was so powerful that it blew a two-metre hole in the sidewall. Glass splinters and debris flew up to 25 metres and a small fire broke out.
Two injured victims were found sprawled outside the building when firemen arrived minutes after the explosion.
The firemen put out the small fire and mounted a search for more victims after workers told them that there were several others missing or trapped under the rubble.
Disaster zone … A fire and rescue department officer tying the yellow tape surrounding the affected back entrance of the building after the explosion
Five victims were pulled out alive. Tiau See Peing, 25, a supervisor from Batu Pahat with Old Town White Coffee was found dead with a neck wound caused by flying debris.
State Fire Department operations deputy director R. Ezhumalai said the blast was likely caused by a gas leak as victims mentioned the smell of gas shortly before the incident.
“We are still investigating to determine the exact location of the blast or what may have caused it,” he said, adding that several other victims were earlier rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The injured workers were nine locals, six Indonesians and a Myanmar.
At press time, three – all locals – were in critical condition at the Malacca Hospital. They have been identified as Mohd Tarmizi Jaafar, 23, Lai Soon Wee, 32 and Ooi Kok On, 33.
Seven others suffered serious injuries and have also been warded at the hospital. The remaining six victims received outpatient treatment.
Ghafar Baba, 41, a clerk of works who was on his rounds to check on final touches to the building, said he got a whiff of an odd smell minutes before the explosion.
“I didn’t realise it was gas and had stepped out of the building before the explosion,” he said.
A police officer ordering onlookers to leave the scene
A tenant of one of the restaurants at the food court, who refused to give his name, said tenants were requested to come in before noon to test the gas system.
“We were told to come in at 11am with only two representatives from each restaurant or outlet allowed in when the test was being conducted.
“It was before 1pm when I got the smell of gas and informed the contractor about it.
“However, several minutes after that, there was a loud explosion and I only remember running out as fast as I could,” he said.
At the Malacca Hospital, Musli Ali, a 22-year-old worker from Acheh, said he had decided take an early lunch break and was resting when he heard a loud explosion.
“The next thing I knew was that I was lying on the floor covered with debris.
“I was shocked and stunned because I was quite close to the blast,” he said.
However, he said he was fortunate as he escaped serious injuries and was given outpatient treatment for a minor cut on his left hand.
State Human Resources Committee chairman Datuk Yaakub Md Amin said the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has been directed to investigate the blast.
Investigations will focus on whether the contractors had followed safety measures.
Action would be taken against them if they had not done so, he said.
Published Dec 14, 2009 Daily Chillies
