Boat explodes, eight VAT 69 commandos injured

MANJUNG: Eight VAT 69 commandos were injured when their boat exploded at the Kg Acheh Jetty here.

One of the commandoes is reported to be in critical condition following the Monday 9.30 incident. He is understood to have suffered head and internal injuries and is in a coma.

The victims have been sent to the Seri Manjung Hospital while the officer in critical condition has been sent to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun hospital for treatment.

"Two commandos fractured their legs while the others suffered minor injuries. One officer received outpatient treatment and has gone back to the Police Marine base in Kg Aceh," said a source.

Acting Perak Police Chief DCP Datuk Hasnan Hassan said the explosion was caused by a faulty engine.

In a statement issued by the state police, DCP Hasnan said that based on early investigations, the boat exploded when the officers tried to start the engine.

“There were no explosives (present) at the time. Eight officers were injured but there were no fatalities.

“When the incident happened, the officers were doing their routine training at the Marine Base,” he added.

DCP Hasnan said that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine why the engine exploded.

Note: An earlier version of this story reported nine injuries. This has been corrected.