PETALING JAYA: A contractor died and nine other people were injured in an explosion involving an air-conditioning compressor at a private university in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, this morning.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Fadil Marsus said some of the victims were in critical condition after being injured by debris from the powerful blast, Berita Harian reported.
He said the explosion is believed to have been caused by a gas leak from the air-conditioning compressor.
Fadil said the explosion occurred in the air-conditioning maintenance area adjacent to the cafeteria on the fourth floor. The air-conditioning system was being repaired by technicians at the time of the incident.
“Investigations so far have found no elements of criminal activity in this incident,” he said.
Of the nine injured victims, two were contractors, one was a member of the university’s management, two were foreign cafeteria workers, and four were students.
Fadil said not many students were in the area at the time of the incident as most of them are still on holiday.
He added that the fire and rescue department’s hazardous materials (Hazmat) team is conducting a thorough inspection.
“The area is safe, but a full inspection is being carried out to prevent any subsequent explosions,” he said.
