Explosion at a private university in KL results in one fatality, numerous Injuries

KUALA LUMPUR - An explosion at a private university in the city has resulted in one death and at least nine injuries, including four students.

Sources confirmed that of the 20 individuals involved in the explosion, one person has succumbed to their injuries.

Kuala Lumpur Police chief, Datuk Fadil Marsus, speaking at the scene, stated that authorities received a call about the incident at 11.40am. The explosion occurred in an air-conditioning compressor located in a maintenance area next to the cafeteria on the fourth floor of the university building.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that an air-conditioning compressor exploded, resulting in nine victims, somewith serious injuries and others with minor injuries,” he explained at a press conference held at the scene on Monday (Jan 12).

“The victims sustained various injuries, including burns and injuries from flying debris, as the explosion was powerful enough to damage the walls in the affected area,” he added.

The injured individuals were transported to several nearby hospitals for further treatment, including the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur Hospital, and Sungai Buloh Hospital.

In addition to the four injured students, the remaining five victims included two external contractors who were assisting with air-conditioning repairs, one staff member and two foreign nationals working as cafeteria attendants.

Comm Fadil noted that the area was not crowded with students at the time of the explosion, as many were still on holiday.

He also mentioned that the police and the Fire and Rescue Department conducted inspections to mitigate the risk of a secondary explosion.

“So far, the Fire and Rescue Department has confirmed that the area is completely safe, and investigations are still ongoing,” he concluded. - THE STAR