SUBANG JAYA – Selangor police have dismissed viral claims suggesting that victims drowned or were burnt to death in the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights on April 1.
State Police Chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said that initial information indicated a possibility that an individual had fled by jumping into a river approximately 50 metres from the explosion site.
"Based on this information, the rescue team conducted a thorough search operation from Kuala Sungai Kelang to the surrounding area of the incident," he said at a press conference at the Incident Control Centre in Putra Heights on Friday.
He added that the search involved assistance from the Marine Police Team, the K9 detection unit and forensic teams that inspected the river and abandoned houses near the explosion site.
"So far, no bodies or human remains have been found in the river or at the scene.
"Surface examinations and forensic investigations at potential locations have also yielded no clues, including signs of burnt victims," he said.
Hussein also revealed that an excavator is feared to be buried in the explosion crater. However, police have yet to confirm whether anyone is trapped beneath the rubble or soil.
"Therefore, we must wait until the ground structure is stabilised and the water is fully drained before conducting a complete excavation," he said.
He further explained that the stabilisation process is expected to take two weeks before technical teams are allowed to carry out a full excavation to uncover any new evidence, including the possibility of buried victims.