It was like a war zone, says witness

KUCHING: A witness said the scene of the explosion at the CityONE Megamall here was like a war zone, with the injured lying on the ground groaning in pain.

The man, who declined to be named, said he heard two blasts and felt the shockwaves, even though he was about 100m away, on a different floor.

“I heard two loud blasts, followed by shockwaves. I felt the searing heat, even though the restaurant is on the ground floor.”

He said panic and chaos ensued.

“The mall was crowded at the time of the incident.

“I heard cries of pain, people weeping and calling for help. It was like a war zone.

“I saw people covered in blood, groaning in pain and burnt.”

The witness said he went to help the victims.

“I led them out of the mall. It was only later that my colleague told me that a gas tank had exploded while renovation work was being carried out at a restaurant.”

A 66-year-old patron said he was one of the lucky ones as he was just metres from the restaurant when the incident occurred.

Johny Ting said he was at a staircase when he heard the blast.

“I was close by and could see debris of what I believed was the wall of the restaurant, flying across the mall.

“I was too shocked to move when I saw many people lying on the ground in front of the restaurant.”

The elder brother of one of the three men killed in the incident said he was informed of the blast by the victim’s colleague.

Speaking at Sarawak General Hospital Forensics Department, the man, who wanted to be identified only as Ah Siang, said he found out 90 minutes after the incident that his brother had been killed.

He said his brother, Ah Yu, was an affable person.

“My brother and some of his colleagues were carrying out piping work at the restaurant.

“They had been working there for several days.”