ALOR SETAR: Police have detained two men to assist investigations into a fireworks explosion that occurred in Kulim, injuring 22 people.
Kulim OCPD Supt Zulkifli Azizan said the duo were arrested on Tuesday (Oct 20) in Taman Senangin and Paya Besar, near Kulim, based on a 22-second video clip of the incident that went viral on social media.
"The first suspect, aged 34, from Bandar Baru Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, works in customer service and has one prior criminal record. The second suspect, aged 23, from Jalan Paya Besar, Lunas, is a shop assistant and also has one previous criminal record.
"Initial investigations found that both suspects were hanging out with several friends at the scene. The first suspect, who was intoxicated, bought fireworks known as 'kelapa' from a stall for RM200," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
He said the suspect later placed the fireworks into a cylinder by the roadside, as friends and passers-by stopped to watch the display.
"After that, the second suspect lit the fuse but it failed to launch and exploded," he said, adding that the suspect may have been intoxicated and placed the fireworks upside down.
"As a result of the explosion, 22 people were injured, including a victim who suffered a serious head injury with a fractured forehead and was referred to Penang Hospital," he said.
Zulkifli added that statements of 10 victims had been recorded so far.
"The fireworks seller has also been identified and the case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1958 and Section 326 of the Penal Code," he said.
In the incident that occurred at about 12.45am, 22 people were injured following the fireworks explosion during a Deepavali celebration along Jalan Paya Besar, near Kulim. – Bernama
