Nine injured in air conditioning compressor explosion at Bukit Damansara university; gas leak suspected.
PETALING JAYA: An air conditioning compressor explosion at a private university in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, left nine people injured Monday morning.
Authorities received reports of the incident at 11.40am, according to Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus.
The blast occurred in an air conditioning maintenance room situated near the cafeteria on the building’s fourth floor.
“Nine individuals were affected, with injuries ranging from minor to serious,” Fadil stated during a press briefing at the site, as reported by BuletinTV3.
Emergency responders transported the wounded to multiple medical facilities, including University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, and Sungai Buloh Hospital.
The injured comprised four university students, two contracted maintenance workers, one administrative staff member, and two foreign nationals employed at the cafeteria.
Fadil noted that casualties were limited due to reduced campus population during the holiday break.
“Fortunately, student numbers were low when this happened, as we’re still in the holiday period,” he explained.
Authorities have declared the affected area secure, though investigations continue.
Preliminary findings suggest a high-pressure gas leak may have triggered the explosion, pending confirmation from fire department forensic specialists.
The powerful blast caused structural damage to building walls, with some victims sustaining burns from flying debris.
Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department personnel, including Hazmat specialists, are conducting thorough safety inspections to prevent secondary explosions.
The operation deployed 38 firefighters, incorporating both forensic and hazardous materials teams.
