Three workers killed in flour factory tunnel blast

IPOH: Three labourers were killed in an explosion while carrying out welding works at a tunnel of a flour factory near Segari, about 15km from Lumut.
They are identified as Low Pin Tin, 53, from Sungai Pari Towers in Buntong, here, Mohd Faizul Mohd Said, 29, from Kg Tebok Yan in Segari, and Loh Lai Kiat, 51, from Sitiawan.
Manjung deputy OCPD Deputy Supt Ahmad Rabawi Abd Jamil said the incident was believed to have been caused by a “gas explosion” during routine maintenance works yesterday.
The 2pm explosion occurred in the tunnel near a private jetty, which was connected to the Malayan Flour Mill Bhd by the 200m-long maintenance and transport tunnel.
DSP Ahmad Rabawi said one man died instantly inside the tunnel and the other two died at Manjung Hospital, about 90km from here.
“Four other workers suffered serious injuries at the jetty, including one who is now in the hospital’s intensive care unit,” he said.
The force of the explosion tore open the tunnel and split part of the jetty.
Manjung Fire and Rescue Department senior assistant officer Jaafar Sidek said 33 fire fighters rushed to the scene after receiving the distress call at 2.16pm from a member of the public.
“There was no fire and no smoke when we rushed there, but people were panicking. So we took steps to ensure safety,” he said.
Jaafar confirmed that there were no other victims, adding that the department was still investigating the cause.
Lumut MP Datuk Kong Cho Ha, who visited the victims at the Manjung Hospital, said this was the worst accident ever to be experienced by Malayan Flour Mill.
“The factory, set up in 1965, has always had a pretty good track record of safety,” he told reporters.
“I hope the authorities will quickly look into the cause of the accident, including the possibility of bringing in the Chemistry Department to assist them.”



By CHRISTINA KOH
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/18/nation/20676282&sec=nation