A 24-year-old UTAR mechanical engineering student died in an air conditioning gas explosion just days before completing his mandatory industrial training.
KUALA LUMPUR: The sole fatality in an explosion at a private university here was an intern scheduled to complete his industrial training this Thursday.
The victim, Soo Yu Juan, 24, was a third-year Mechanical Engineering student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).
UTAR’s Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Prof Chang Yoong Choon, said the incident was deeply shocking and unexpected.
He confirmed the student was at the location for a routine air conditioning maintenance assignment as part of his course requirements.
“The university provides insurance coverage for all students, including for accidents during industrial training,” Chang said at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital Forensic Department.
He said UTAR would submit an insurance claim once all documents were obtained and was committed to supporting the victim’s family.
The company where Soo was interning has also pledged support, including assistance with funeral arrangements.
The exact cause of the incident is still unknown, with authorities awaiting the results of the Fire and Rescue Department’s investigation.
The explosion occurred at approximately 11.40am, killing one person and injuring nine others.
Soo’s mother and older brother arrived at the hospital for identification at around 6pm.
