KUCHING: At least 3 people were killed and 26 others reportedly injured, seven of them critical, in an explosion at the popular CityOne Megamall at Jalan Song here, today. The incident happened at 3.30pm.
Several shoppers, some of them serious, were seen covered in blood. Sarawak Bomba director Khirudin Drahman confirmed the incident.
Firemen are at the scene rescuing some of the trapped victims. Cause of the explosion is yet to be determined. Following the explosion, the management of the mall has closed the mall to the public.
“Due to a sudden explosion just now in one of the unit (sic) at CityOne Megamall notice is hereby given that CityOne Megamall will be closed to the public with immediate effect until further notice,” the management said in its Facebook posting.
Meanwhile, Bernama reported an eyewitness as saying that the explosion occurred at a shop which was under renovation.
“I was purchasing a pizza in front of the shop (under renovation) when suddenly, a strong explosion occurred. The workers in the shop (being renovated) ran out, and some of them were seriously injured,” Bernama quoted George Sting, 39.
Grace Lee, 23, a sales assistant at a telecommunications shop near the scene said she was entertaining a customer at her shop when she heard the loud sound.
“The shopping mall’s management immediately made an emergency announcement to inform visitors to get out of the shopping mall,” she said.
Wina Simion, 46, said she was sitting near the premises enjoying lunch with her family members when the incident occurred.
“Our family was enjoying pizza at a restaurant here, and suddenly, we were shocked by the explosion from the store which also caused our table to fly up,” she said.
Fire and Rescue Operations director Tiong Ling Hii when contacted confirmed the incident, however, the exact number of casualties is yet to be ascertained.
· More to come
