[UPDATED] Explosion reported at Sabah-S’wak Gas Pipeline, Petronas to issue statement

LAWAS – One died while two others were injured after Petronas’ Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline in Long Ugui, Lawas exploded at about 2pm this afternoon.

A spokesman for the Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department’s operations centre said a team from the Lawas Fire and Rescue station was dispatched to the scene after it received a report at 2.50pm.

“Upon arrival at the scene, the operations commander said that the extent of the fire and explosion was estimated at a radius of 400m and that the fire also razed a motorcycle, an excavator, a bulldozer, and a lorry.

“One victim, identified as Hadi Wiyono, was confirmed dead inside the excavator, while two others identified as Hendrick and Gabriel Meripa suffered burns on the limbs,” he said in a statement today.

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A section of what is believed to be the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline in Lawas has exploded at approximately 2.30pm today.

The Fire and Rescue Department Sarawak operation centre was told that there was one fatality and one injured from the incident. pic.twitter.com/qiiIOIeqgX

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 16, 2022

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and it is understood that Petronas will issue a statement on the incident.

Meanwhile, Limbang Resident Sebi Abang has urged the public at the scene of the incident not to approach the SSGP project site following the blast.

Sebi, who is also chairman of the Limbang Disaster Committee, also asked all parties not to speculate about the pipeline incident.

“We will wait for the official report from the authorities,” he added. – Bernama, November 16, 2022