KOTA BARU: The two Malaysians who were injured in a bomb explosion in Tak Bai, Narathiwat, in southern Thailand have been transferred to Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital in Kota Baru for further treatment.
The hospital's director Dr Izamin Idris said the victims, Abdullah Syarapi Abd Rahman, 45 and Muhammad Yusri Udin, 38, would first undergo assessment at its emergency department.
"The victims arrived at the hospital at 10.50am on Tuesday (June 30)from Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Hospital via the Rantau Panjang Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex.
"They will undergo an initial examination before a decision is made on whether they require admission to a ward or can be discharged," he told reporters at the hospital compound on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Abdullah Syarapi said he felt as though he had been given a second chance at life after surviving the blast.
He said the incident was the most terrifying experience he had ever faced and one he would never forget.
"Maybe God still gave us a chance. Although the explosion left me seriously injured, both my friend and I survived," he said.
Muhammad Yusri, who was driving at the time, said the incident had left a lasting emotional impact on him.
"The explosion happened suddenly and caused my vehicle to stop. I saw Abdullah with injuries on his head," he said, adding that he escaped with minor injuries.
In the incident at about 11.40 am on Monday (June 29), the two were travelling from Tak Bai to Narathiwat town when they were caught in a bomb attack targeting a vehicle belonging to a district security volunteer team.
Narathiwat police chief Major General Prayong Khoksakha said preliminary investigations found that the improvised explosive device (IED), estimated to weigh about 70kg, had been detonated using a mobile phone.
The intended target was believed to be a vehicle from the Sungai Golok volunteer team travelling in the right lane at the time of the explosion. – Bernama
