■ Government agencies, companies to provide temporary housing, cars on loan and digital devices to victims

■ Preliminary report in two weeks, complete findings in another fortnight

POLICE yesterday confirmed that excavation work was being carried out to change sewer pipes approximately 30 metres from where a gas pipeline explosion took place in Putra Heights on Tuesday.

Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said two pieces of equipment were used. An excavator left at the site was buried, while a backhoe was removed before the explosion.

The work, which had been approved by the Subang Jaya City Council beforehand, was halted on March 30.

He said police have identified the developer, contractor, subcontractor and workers involved in using the backhoe and excavator for replacing the existing sewer pipes, and they have been called in.

“On April 1, a massive explosion occurred, causing a significant impact that resulted in a large crater approximately eight metres deep and with a diameter of around 70 metres.

“The explosion happened underground, where there are three Petronas pipelines carrying methane or natural gas. One of these pipelines exploded.

“Whether the excavation activity could have caused the explosion is a matter that requires further investigation to identify other possible factors,” he said at a press conference at the Incident Command Post here yesterday.

He said additional evidence must be gathered as investigators excavate the site, where they could find physical clues that might determine whether the soil excavation activities contributed to the explosion.

At the moment, he said, stabilisation works were being carried out as the blast’s impact disrupted the original structure or landscape of the area.

The site, he said, was currently unstable.

Hussein said police would need to excavate the site to determine whether anyone was inside the excavator, which would be done after April 15.

“We have taken statements from 56 witnesses, including victims who were present at the scene, as well as contractors and workers in the area.

“We have identified one key witness who was at the scene when the explosion occurred — a security guard stationed in front of a newly constructed shoplot. He was about 30 metres from the explosion site at the time and was also injured.

“Police are gathering information and statements from this witness to determine whether any activities — such as burning, excavation or other actions — could have triggered the explosion.

“We need more time as we continue efforts to stabilise the ground and conduct a more detailed investigation.”

Police, he said, were also reviewing 20 dashcam videos and other related videos provided by independent witnesses.

Hussein said it was through these videos that they identified a witness who was at the scene of the incident, and he urged the public to come forward if they have any additional information, images or videos.

“We want to determine who else was present at the scene during or before the incident and whether any activities took place that could have led to the explosion.”

As for whether the excavation work was on reserve land or road reserve land, he said that was still under investigation.

Regarding viral allegations that excavation work took place on the morning of Hari Raya, he said police had obtained the video and have also called in the witness who claimed to have seen some work being done.

“The witness was in the area visiting for Hari Raya and saw the backhoe that morning. However, he was unsure whether any work was actually being carried out.

“We have identified the backhoe owner, who removed the machine for repairs due to reported damage. While we can confirm that the backhoe was present in the area, we have yet to determine whether excavation work took place

“Further investigation is needed to establish whether any digging activities, if they occurred, could have triggered the explosion.

“The excavator was indeed at the site because some work had not been completed.”

Meanwhile, he said the technical team, led by the Public Works Department, would take approximately two weeks to produce a preliminary report in collaboration with other agencies.

He added that they would need another two weeks to complete a full report due to the complexity of the situation.

He also said no bodies had been found so far.