KLIA gas leak traced to abandoned tank

SEPANG - The gas leak reported at the Sepang Aircraft Engineering’s Southern Support Zone of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) came from an abandoned skid tank, left unattended for nine years.

KLIA police chief ACP Azman Shari'at said the leaking gas has been identified as methyl mercaptan or Methanethiol (a colourless flammable gas with an distinct odour that smells like rotten eggs or rotten cabbage).

Azman said exposure to methyl mercaptan is not fatal but causes nausea, vomitting, dizziness and headache.

The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia and Hazmat had carried out investigations and inspection at the site and confirmed that the area was safe.

"There were no injuries or serious accidents and as of 6pm, we can confirm that KLIA is safe from any threat of disaster. The public is advised to be calm and not be alarmed," he told members of the media at the site of the incident, here today.

Azman said the leak was from an abandoned skid tank’s valve.

He added that Gas Malaysia had taken the necessary action to close the leaking portion and carried out cleansing treatment in the area since the smell can spread to about two kilometres if the wind is strong.

"The operation to patch the leak and carry out cleansing work is still going on to ensure the safety of the area and people,” he said.

Earlier, about 1,000 people, mostly from the Malaysia Airlines Engineering and Academy, were evacuated from the cargo terminal area following the gas leak incident this morning.

He added that Malaysia Airlines staff whom operate 24 hours will return to the location and carry out their duties tonight to prevent the possibility of flight delays.

The gas leak incident was reported this morning when the state operations centre received a distress call through MERS 999 at 11.23am.

Following the gas leak, 39 victims were rescued with most of them treated at the location while 14 were taken to the KLIA Air Disaster Unit while one victim was sent to the Putrajaya Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, JBPM Selangor assistant director of operations Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar said the hazardous reading at the location of the skid tank was 600 parts per million (ppm), while the surrounding area registered a normal reading of 150 ppm.

"The skid tank will be removed and sent to the disposal site after the leak is patched up," he said. - BERNAMA