SHAH ALAM, 3 May – A steam boiler explosion at a palm oil mill in Bestari Jaya, Kuala Selangor, left four factory workers injured in a shocking workplace incident this morning.
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) confirmed that the explosion happened around 8.55 am. Firefighters from the Bestari Jaya Fire and Rescue Station were quickly mobilised to the scene after receiving an emergency call.
According to JBPM Assistant Director of Operations, Ahmad Mukhlis Mukhtar, the victims include one local worker, one Bangladeshi national, and two Nepalese workers, all aged between 27 and 38. They were performing regular duties involving the heating of water in a steam boiler when the incident occurred.
“Before we arrived, the fire caused by the explosion had already been put out, possibly by other factory staff,” he said in a statement issued today.
The four injured men suffered burns and were taken to Tanjong Karang Hospital using their own transport. One of them is reported to be receiving treatment in the red zone due to the seriousness of the injuries.
Initial investigations suggest the boiler may have overheated or malfunctioned during the water heating process, but the exact cause is still under investigation.
The explosion raised concerns about workplace safety standards, especially in industries that handle high-pressure machinery. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough inspection of the mill and its equipment in the coming days to prevent similar incidents.
This incident highlights the importance of strict safety protocols in factory operations involving heat and pressure systems. — Bernama
