Twenty-two people, including a man who suffered serious head injuries, were injured when a firecracker exploded at Paya Besar here on the eve of Deepavali.
District police chief Superintendent Zulkifli Azizan said the incident occurred at 12.45am when a crowd had gathered along Jalan Paya Besar to watch a fireworks display.
“Initial investigations indicate that the explosion happened after members of the public lit firecrackers. One victim suffered a deep cut to his forehead, while the others sustained minor injuries from flying debris,” he said in a statement today.
Two ambulances were dispatched to the scene, and all victims were taken to Kulim Hospital for treatment.
Zulkifli said police and traffic personnel managed to bring the situation under control and disperse the crowd by 1.30am.
Earlier, viral videos and photos circulating online showed chaotic scenes as smoke filled the air and panicked spectators fled for safety.
