13/01/2026

TUESDAY | JAN 13, 2026

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One killed, nine injured in blast at private university

HELP launches safety checks

PETALING JAYA: HELP University said it has begun internal safety checks across its campuses to ensure the safety and integrity of its facilities following a fatal early-morning incident at its Bukit Damansara campus yesterday. In a holding statement, the university said while the affected building at the Bukit Damansara campus will remain closed, the university assured students and parents that operations and classes at its Subang Bestari campus will continue as usual. “As an institution, we are highly committed to providing a safe environment for our students and everyone on campus,” it said. The incident yesterday left one person dead and nine others injured, triggering the evacuation of students and staff and the temporary closure of one campus building. “We are saddened to share that there was one fatality involving an external contractor and we wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased,” the statement said. The university said its immediate priority was the wellbeing of those affected and it was working closely with medical services to ensure all injured individuals receive appropriate treatment. “We are in contact with the families of those involved to provide support and assistance.” It also said the incident occurred in the kitchen of a food and beverage outlet on the fourth floor of one of its campus buildings. “Emergency protocols were immediately activated and students and staff on campus were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Emergency services arrived shortly after being alerted and provided medical assistance to those affected,“ it added. The university said investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing and it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities as well as the building owner and building management to determine what caused the explosion. “The affected building will remain closed pending the completion of investigations,” the statement said. – By Kirtinee Ramesh Chaos, panic in aftermath: Witness KUALA LUMPUR: Panic swept through HELP University in Bukit Damansara after an explosion ripped through the campus cafeteria. A 24-year-old woman who was at the scene said students and staff scrambled to escape as debris fell from the ceiling, trapping a woman in the cafeteria and leaving another victim scalded in the kitchen area. “When I was escaping, I saw a female student in the cafeteria trapped under a ceiling board and she was unable to move. I also saw someone else in the kitchen area who was scalded due to the blast,” she told the media at the location of the explosion. The witness, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was unable to determine the condition of the victims and could not help them as she was in a state of panic. A university employee, who declined to be named, said the campus had only one cafeteria that was used by both staff and students. “During the incident I was in another block and did not hear the blast.” – Bernama

o Explosion near cafeteria damages walls, preliminary findings point to leaking gas, says fire chief

PETALING JAYA: One contractor was killed and nine others injured after an air-conditioning compressor exploded at the HELP University campus in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday. Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said police received an emergency call at 11.40am about the incident which occurred in a maintenance area adjacent to the cafeteria on the fourth floor of the university building. “Initial investigations found that an Ű BY HARITH KAMAL, KIRTINEE RAMESH AND QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

air-conditioning compressor exploded, resulting in one fatality and injuries of varying severity to nine other individuals,” he told reporters at the scene, as reported by Bernama. In a statement, Fadil identified the deceased as Soo Yu Juan, 24, a contractor who succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL). Two other men, also contractors, sustained serious injuries in the blast while the remaining victims suffered minor injuries. Those injured included four students, a technician and two cafeteria workers. Fadil said the injuries ranged from burns to wounds caused by flying

The incident occurred at the maintenance area adjacent to the cafeteria on the fourth floor of the building. – PIC COURTESY OF FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

especially those accommodating large numbers of people.” Muhammad Najib warned that any delay in inspection or repair could escalate safety, legal and financial risks which property management can mitigate through professional assessments, timely repairs and clear risk management protocols. Lee echoed the concern, noting that universities typically engage contractors to maintain equipment. “The contractors are responsible for ensuring that the equipment is safe and this is something that has to be looked into. “Incidents like this underscore the need for consistent prioritisation of safety.” Medical Centre, HKL and Sungai Buloh Hospital. Apart from the four students, the other victims comprised two external contractors called in for air conditioning repairs, a university management staff member and two foreign nationals working in the cafeteria. Fadil said it was fortunate the area was not crowded with students at the time of the explosion, as many were still on holiday. He said the Fire and Rescue Department and its fire forensics team Hazmat conducted a thorough inspection to ensure the site was fully safe and to prevent any risk of a secondary explosion. The department confirmed that the area is fully safe and investigations are ongoing. Fadil said the university management had contacted technicians after detecting technical problems with the air-conditioning system. However, repair works had not yet started when the explosion occurred, raising questions about the cause. A total of 38 firefighters were involved in the operation, including personnel from Hazmat and nearby fire stations. Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department director Hassan As’ari Omar said preliminary inspections indicate the explosion was caused by leaking air conditioning gas.

debris, adding that the explosion was powerful enough to damage the surrounding walls of the maintenance area. All victims were rushed to nearby hospitals, including Universiti Malaya

Experts urge stricter oversight, tighter controls Police, the Fire and Rescue Department and Hazmat team have cordoned off the building and are conducting thorough inspections to prevent the risk of a secondary explosion, said KL police chief. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

the actual cause and prevent similar accidents in the future.” From a property management perspective, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia property economics and finance expert Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Najib Razali highlighted the importance of immediate structural assessments after such incidents. “Prompt inspections are critical to determine building safety, prevent further damage and protect occupants. “Preventive maintenance and regular technical checks are essential for property managers to detect early signs of deterioration, ensure compliance with safety standards and maintain the long term integrity of buildings,

could have triggered the blast. “This is a serious incident which needs to be very thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities. “In any workplace, whether it is a school or a university, the aspects concerning safety and health of the facilities must always be thoroughly checked and monitored, especially mechanical systems like compressors,” Lee told theSun. He added that gas leaks should be treated as a significant risk, particularly when mechanical equipment in public buildings is involved. “The investigation should involve the Department of Occupational Safety and Health and the local authorities to determine

PETALING JAYA: Calls are mounting for tighter safety controls in schools and universities following the explosion at the HELP University Bukit Damansara campus yesterday, with experts stressing the need for stricter safety management systems and proactive inspections. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye urged the implementation of comprehensive safety management systems and regular audits, after preliminary investigations indicated that a gas leak from an air conditioning compressor in the building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system