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A helium gas cylinder explosion killed a man and injured three others at an expo site near Dataran Jam Besar in Sungai Petani, Kedah last night, 21 May
According to the New Straits Times, Sungai Petani Fire and Rescue station chief Siti Norafiza Mohd Noh said the department received an emergency call at 7.52pm.
She led a team of eight personnel to the scene and confirmed that a helium gas cylinder had exploded at the event.
Initial investigations found that the blast sent debris flying up to 100m away, hitting several victims.
"It involved a single helium gas cylinder used to inflate children's balloons for commercial purposes," she said.
Three victims, a 15-year-old boy and two men aged 36 and 49, sustained injuries, while a 42-year-old man was confirmed dead at the scene
The injured victims were sent to the hospital for treatment, while the deceased was handed over to police for further action.
Two men in their 20s and 40s have since been detained to assist in investigations
According to Bernama, Kuala Muda district police chief ACP Hanyan Ramlan said investigations are still at an early stage as they work to identify the owner of the cylinder and determine the cause of the incident.
He added that the site will be temporarily closed to allow investigations to proceed.
"We are conducting investigations at the scene, so we ask all traders to temporarily cease operations. Once completed, we will hand the site back to the organiser to continue the event," he said at a press conference last night.
Hanyan also urged any other visitors who may have been injured to come forward and report to the authorities.
The case is being investigated as a sudden death report and under Section 304A of the Penal Code for causing death by negligence.
