KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry has lodged a police report against social media claims that there were deaths in the recent gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya, Selangor.
The ministry said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had also been informed of the matter.
It added that it had not received any reports from public or private health facilities regarding victims killed in the incident.
"Irresponsible parties who spread false comments that caused public outrage will be dealt with strictly according to the law," it said in a statement on Thursday (April 10).
The gas pipeline fire at 8.10am on April 1 caused flames over 30m high with temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius and took almost eight hours to be completely extinguished
Regarding victims undergoing treatment, the ministry said that as of 12.30pm Wednesday, 17 were in government hospitals, while 21 were in private hospitals, with one in the intensive care unit but showing improvement.
A total of 150 victims have sought medical treatment following the incident.
Among them,127 sustained direct injuries, including burn wounds and other physical trauma. Another 18 were indirectly impacted with anxiety, panic attacks, hypertensive urgency and others, while the remaining five did not require further treatment.
The ministry said that government healthcare facilities would continue to support the victims, particularly those with burn injuries, at Kuala Lumpur Hospital and Putrajaya Hospital.
"This also includes mental health services, which are crucial in helping affected individuals and their families return to normal life as soon as possible," it said.
The ministry confirmed that eight of its staff who were involved in the incident will be given full support until they are fit to return to work. - Bernama
