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Nine people, including four students, were injured when an air conditioning compressor exploded at a private university in Damansara this morning (Jan 12), with some reported to be in critical condition.

One victim later succumbed to their injuries.

The blast occurred at approximately 11.30 am in the air-conditioning maintenance area adjacent to the cafeteria on the fourth floor of HELP University’s Bukit Damansara campus.

Police received a call about an explosion in the air-conditioning maintenance area next to the cafeteria on the fourth floor, he told reporters at the scene.

Of the nine victims, two are contractor workers, one is a university management staff member, two are foreign workers from the cafeteria, and four are students.

Maintenance Work Underway When Blast Occurred

Fadil said maintenance work on the air conditioning system was being carried out by technicians called in by university management at the time of the incident.

Some victims are in critical condition, while others were injured by debris from the powerful explosion.

He added that investigations so far have found no criminal element in the incident.

The police chief said there were few students in the area at the time, as it was still the holiday period.

Meanwhile, social media posts showed traffic chaos in the Bukit Damansara area following the incident.

Campus Cordoned Off As HAZMAT Team Investigates

Fire and rescue personnel at the scene said the explosion did not produce any flames.

The campus has been cordoned off to allow emergency responders to carry out their work.

The HAZMAT team from the Fire and Rescue Department is conducting a thorough inspection of the site.

The area is safe, but a full inspection is underway to prevent any further explosions, Fadil added.

No fire was visible on site, and students were observed leaving the premises.