Police want chlorine gas drum owner to assist investigations

MALACCA: Police have contacted the company which owns the seven drums of chlorine gas dumped in Kampung Tampak Paya here to assist investigations over the chlorine gas leak which caused more than 200 villagers to be evacuated last night.
Malacca police chief Datuk Abd Jalil Hassan said the local company had been identified from the series number found on the drums but he declined to reveal the name of the company as it was still under investigations.
“Investigations are on whether the drums were dumped or given the responsibility to dispose the chemical substances believed to be compacted chlorine acid used in water-related industry.
"The chemicals should be disposed at the specialised facility at Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan with proper treatment," he told reporters after officiating the closing of the 2017 Series 13 Summer Camp in Ayer Keroh here today.
Yesterday, residents of the village had to be evacuated when one of the seven drums containing chlorine gas leaked and spread around a one-kilometre radius from the village and so far 40 people were still being treated at Malacca and Jasin hospitals.
Commenting further, Abd Jalil said police had taken the statements of three witnesses who saw two individuals unloading the drums from a lorry in the area yesterday before fleeing the scene.
"The witnesses saw yellow smoke coming out of a drum before they started feeling nauseous and vomiting. The three, aged between 25 and 35, were still being treated in the hospital,” he added.
He said police were also tracking down the two individuals and the lorry used in the chemical waste dumping incident under Section 269/270 of the Penal Code for negligence or malignant act which may spread disease dangerous to life.
He said the industry or company linked to the usage of the chemical had been urged to ensure the substances were properly disposed of or treated at the designated facility.
Meanwhile, he said all 60 residents evacuated to a relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tampak Paya yesterday were allowed to return home after it was declared safe by the Chemistry Department and the Fire and Rescue Department.
Bernama also observed the dumping site of the seven drums of chlorine gas at noon today had been sealed and was being monitored by police and firemen. — Bernama