SUBANG JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has mobilised teams from various public universities equipped with teaching hospitals to assist victims of the Putra Heights gas pipeline blast.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who visited the temporary relief centre at the Putra Heights Mosque today, highlighted the ministry's swift response in providing aid.

"We took immediate steps to ensure a team under the Higher Education Ministry was dispatched right away," said Zambry.

The teams sent to assist in the efforts included members from Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All of these public universities possess medical aid expertise.

The ministry also deployed a psychological team from various universities to support individuals experiencing trauma.

Student volunteers from the Siswa Madani programme were also mobilised from various universities to support the relief efforts.

"We also sent a team from IPT Madani, which we call the Siswa Madani team. These volunteers were gathered from various universities.

"Even from as far as UNIMAS in Sarawak, three representatives travelled here to provide assistance," he said.

Zambry said that the number of students affected by the blast had also increased from the four initially reported.

"The Siswa Pendana fund has already delivered RM2,000 in aid to each of these students," he added.