Driver Who Was Killed After His Car Exploded Was Reportedly Trying To Light A Cigarette
The victim had two prior records for drug and burglary.
By Sadho Ram — 22 May 2021, 04:50 PM
The explosion that killed the driver of a car in a township in Kota Bharu yesterday, 21 May, happened due to an attempt to light a cigarette
On Friday afternoon, a car, believed to be loaded with firecrackers, exploded at a traffic light and was split in two in Simpang Empat, Kampung Sireh, Kota Bharu in Kelantan.
While previously it was believed that a lightning strike was the cause of the explosion, local authorities now say a witness has claimed to have seen the driver trying to light up a cigarette before the explosion.
According to Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat, they received information that the victim had tried to smoke before the explosion and that the testimony is being investigated by Bukit Aman's bomb unit.
The explosion happened when the car was at a traffic light
The victim was smoking and had opened the windows before the explosion, the witness claims.
Shafien, who was speaking during a press conference earlier today, said that the impact of the explosion was felt within a radius of 100 meters that affected nearby vehicles, mosques, residents' houses, etc.
He told the press that the value of the destruction from the explosion was not yet known as other victims, including residents in the affected areas, had not lodged a police report.
Meanwhile, he revealed that the victim had two prior records
According to a report in Berita Harian, police are investigating whether the victim was involved in firecracker smuggling activities as he had two previous records of drug offences and burglary.
