KUALA LUMPUR – Perak police are investigating the cause of a huge explosion and tremors felt by Ipoh residents this morning.
The cause remains unknown after ruling out several activities, including quarrying, from checks with the relevant authorities, state police chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said in a statement.
The sound was heard at around 11.06am today but checks with the General Operations Force northern brigade in Ulu Kinta to see if it was related to exercises on handling explosives returned negative.
“Checks with the Land and Mines Office also found that there were no quarrying activities conducted before noon today.
“Another check with the Meteorological Department also found that no seismic activity was recorded in Ipoh, even though an earthquake was recorded at Halmahera, Indonesia at 11.24am today,” Azizi said.
Bernama reports that the Perak Mineral and Geosciences Department director also confirmed the explosion and tremors were not the result of quarrying activities.
Azizi urged anyone with information to come forward, adding people should remain calm and avoid speculating on the incident.
The blast was reported on social media, with many netizens asking who had heard and felt it, and what had caused it.
Netizens in Silibin, Bercham, Gunung Lang and motorists using the Menora Tunnel in Perak said they heard the explosion and felt tremors. – October 21, 2024