The Royal Malaysia Police have apprehended a 21-year-old local man suspected of igniting ball firecrackers that resulted in injuries to seven individuals, including himself, in a village located in Tobiar, Pendang last Friday. Pendang District Police Chief Superintendent Rodzi Abu Hassan confirmed that the suspect was taken into custody by officers from the Pendang District Police Headquarters (IPD) after receiving information regarding the incident at approximately 10:00 am on Monday. This arrest marks the beginning of a formal investigation into the dangerous handling of explosives within a residential community during festive preparations.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect admitted to playing with the ball firecrackers alongside six of his relatives as part of their upcoming Aidilfitri celebrations. It is understood that while they were engaging in the activity, a lighted firecracker accidentally landed inside a plastic bag that contained a large quantity of other fireworks. This sparked a massive and immediate chain reaction, leading to a powerful explosion that caught the group off guard and caused significant physical harm to those standing nearby.
The force of the blast caused various injuries to six other individuals who ranged in age from 11 to 20 years old. These victims were positioned close to the site of the ignition when the accidental explosion occurred, leaving them with trauma to their faces and bodies. Following the incident, images of the injured victims began circulating on Facebook with captions describing a “bomb expert tragedy” in Tobiar, which quickly gained traction among social media users and prompted official police intervention.
Medical treatment was sought for all those involved, with the victims and the suspect receiving outpatient care at Pendang Hospital for their respective wounds. However, authorities noted that one of the victims had to be referred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for more specialised and intensive medical attention. This specific individual reportedly suffered serious injuries to the eyes, highlighting the severe physical risks associated with the illegal or negligent use of powerful pyrotechnics in crowded areas.
The suspect is currently being remanded to facilitate further investigations into the case under Section 337 of the Penal Code for causing hurt by an act which endangers life or the personal safety of others. Police have used this incident to remind the public of the legal consequences and the inherent dangers of mishandling firecrackers, particularly during festive seasons. Further updates on the legal proceedings and the recovery status of the victims are expected as the Pendang IPD completes its detailed report on the matter.
