Car carrying fireworks may have blown up after driver tried to light cigarette

 

The driver who was killed after his vehicle carrying fireworks exploded may have tried to light up a cigarette.

Police said a witness had claimed to have seen the driver trying to light up before the explosion yesterday, but the testimony is still being investigated by Bukit Aman’s bomb unit.

“We received information that the victim had tried to smoke before the explosion.

“That is why we have asked for assistance from Bukit Aman’s bomb unit to find out the reason for the explosion,” Kelantan police chief Shafien Mamat told a press conference in Kota Bharu today.

The vehicle exploded and was split in two in Simpang Empat, Kampung Sireh, Kota Bharu in Kelantan yesterday.

The driver was thrown 20 metres away from the explosion site and his limbs severed.

At least four other vehicles were also damaged.

Police said they found firework debris at the site.

“Based on the debris, there were quite a lot of fireworks,” he said.

Shafien said the explosion was the first of its kind in Kelantan and help from Bukit Aman’s bomb unit was needed.

He urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

He also noted that there was a lot of smuggling activities involving fireworks at the border with Thailand.

“The General Operation Forces conduct a lot of arrests at the border involving fireworks but there was still widespread smuggling,” he said. - Mkini