KUALA LUMPUR: An explosion at a private university in the city has resulted in one death and at least nine injuries, including four students.
Sources said there were 10 individuals were injured by the blast, with one succumbing to his injuries.
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Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said that authorities received a call about the incident at 11.40am. The explosion invpolved an air-conditioning compressor located in a maintenance area next to the cafeteria on the fourth floor of the university building.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that an air-conditioning compressor exploded,” he said at a press conference at the scene on Monday (Jan 12).
“The victims sustained various injuries, including burns and injuries from flying debris, as the explosion was powerful enough to damage the walls in the affected area,” he added.
The victims were taken to several nearby hospitals for further treatment, including the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur Hospital, and Sungai Buloh Hospital.
In addition to the four injured students, the five other victims include two contractors assisting with the air-conditioner repairs, one staff member and two foreign nationals working as cafeteria attendants.
Comm Fadil noted that the area was not crowded with students at the time of the explosion, as many were still on holiday.
He also mentioned that the police and the Fire and Rescue Department conducted inspections to mitigate the risk of a secondary explosion.
“So far, the Fire and Rescue Department has confirmed that the area is completely safe, and investigations are still ongoing,” he concluded.
