KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Nov 2017:
Three men were feared dead after falling into a diesel storage tank which exploded at a cement factory in Jalan Kuang Garing, Rawang near here yesterday.
In the 4pm incident, the victims – aged between 28 and 49 – were doing maintenance work at the 5m-high tank when the incident occurred.
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department has withheld their identities for the time being.
The department’s assistant director of operations Mohd Sani Harul said the blaze at the tank was put out within an hour.
He said the three victims were still missing, adding that as at 8.30pm, a search and rescue operation for the trio was ongoing.
He said 30 firemen in five engines from the Batu Arang, Rawang and Selayang stations were deployed to the scene.
He said the rescuers had to drain more than 725,000 litres of diesel from the diesel storage tank to locate the victims.
“Seven lorry tankers are currently used in the draining works…it will take time to find the victims.”
In a related development, Lafarge said in a statement the fire occurred at its Rawang plant between 4.15pm and 4.20pm, and was put out by the fire department.
“The families of the victims have been informed and we are keeping them updated on the progress and providing the necessary support.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with them in their hour of need.”
– Bernama
