Nepalese worker killed in Johor Baru quarry blast
The Star Online, 19 July 2013
Several cars damaged after an explosion at a quarry near Jalan Bukit 2.
JOHOR BARU: A worker at a plastics factory was killed after a rock hit him following an explosion at a quarry some 500m away in Seri Alam here on Friday.
The blast at 1.30pm sent panicked workers and residents scurrying for safety from ricocheting rocks and stones at the industrial area in Jalan Bukit 2.
At least 10 workers and residents in a nearby housing estate are believed to be injured by rocks and debris that came raining down from the sky.
Johor Fire and Rescue Operations assistant director Mohd Rizal Buang said the incident damaged 18 cars and 14 factories along the road and a Tenaga Nasional Berhad substation.
He said rock fragments were hurled as far as one kilometre away from the quarry.
The dead worker, a Nepalese in his 30's, died at the factory site after being hit by several large pieces of rock. The factory is only 500 metres from the quarry.
Mohd Rizal said the department received a report on the incident at 1.14pm and a team of 37 personnel later carried out a search and rescue operation with the assistance of policemen and TNB employees.
He said the contractor involved had been identified and the operation of the quarry had been suspended immediately.
