Malaysia: 100 injured in pipeline explosion in Kuala Lumpur

In Malaysia, 100 people were injured after a fire broke out at a gas pipeline operated by the country’s state energy firm Petronas near the capital Kuala Lumpur today. Media reports said that around 60 people were hospitalized for burns, breathing difficulties or other injuries. Selangor state fire officials, in a statement, said the fire was caused by a gas pipeline leak stretching approximately 500 meters. It said the valve to the affected pipeline has been shut off. Firefighters said the blaze also damaged at least 49 houses. The incident forced a number of people to flee from their homes. Officials said there were people trapped in houses in the village of Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru and rescue efforts were ongoing to evacuate them.