44 still in hospital after second wave of hazardous gas from Sungai Kim Kim

JOHOR BARU: The number of victims of the hazardous gas incident from Sungai Kim Kim last Thursday has risen to 207 people as at 11pm Monday (March 11), following a second wave that took place at noon Monday.

State health director Dr Selahuddeen Abdul Aziz said as at noon yesterday, the second wave affected students of SK Taman Pasir Putih and SMK Taman Pasir Putih.

“As of 11pm, 29 people have been sent to health clinics nearby for health examinations while 77 victims were referred to the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) and 35 of them were warded for further treatment.

"Out of the 35, four patients were warded in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). With 16 patients from the first wave allowed home, total number of patients still warded at HSI now stands at 44 (six in ICU and 38 in the normal ward),” he said in a statement Tuesday (March 12).

Dr Selahhuddeen added that the 44 patients in HSI comprised 11 adult patients and 33 students.

Victims who inhaled the gas suffered breathing difficulties, vomiting, sore eyes, dizziness and chest pain.

Both schools - SK Taman Pasir Putih and SMK Taman Pasir Putih - have again been closed by the authorities even though it had just received the green light to reopen.

“The Health Department would like to advise schools and residents in the Sungai Kim Kim area to seek treatment if they experience symptoms of breathing difficulties after inhaling the gas,” he said.

He added that the public is advised not to enter the affected areas near the river until further instructions.