Putra Heights inferno: Excavator feared buried at site, no bodies found, says Selangor police chief

 

PETALING JAYA: Early police investigations on the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion revealed that heavy excavation work was carried out by a contractor just 30m from the location of the Tuesday (April 1) incident, says Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.

The Selangor police chief said an excavator and a backhoe were used to replace an existing underground sewerage system in the area and work had ceased on March 30.

He said the excavator was believed to be buried in the soil following the blast of the gas pipeline.

"There was a backhoe and an excavator that was used to carry out the work. The backhoe was removed from the site a day before the incident while the excavator was left behind," he said.

He said investigations by the relevant authorities on the affected area of the pipeline were hampered due the unstable ground surrounding the site.

"The blast had altered the original landscape of the area causing a hole that is 7m deep and 30m wide. It is surrounded by a crater and the ground is unstable.

"Efforts to stabilise the soil around the affected area are ongoing currently for investigations to be conducted safely.

"As such, a report on the preliminary findings of our investigations would only be ready in about two weeks. Subsequently, it will take another two weeks for the full report on the disaster to be ready," said Comm Hussein in a much-awaited press conference at the makeshift command control centre set up near the Putra Avenue residential area at Putra Heights on Friday (April 4).

Hussein said a two-pronged investigation is being carried out with the Occupational Safety and Health Department (DOSH) probing areas involving breaches in worksite safety and other requirements while the police are investigating if there are elements of negligence or foul play involved in the case.

"The police have also opened one investigation paper, focusing on mischief and negligence.

"To date, we have recorded the statements of 56 people including a security guard who witnessed the blast," Comm Hussein said. - Star