ECRL Kerteh gas leak contained, Fire and Rescue confirms no health hazards

ECRL Kerteh gas leak contained, Fire and Rescue confirms no health hazards

MARANG, Sept 21 — The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has confirmed that the gas pipeline leak at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Kerteh, involving Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB), is under control and poses no danger to public health.

Local
Local

MARANG, Sept 21 — The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has confirmed that the gas pipeline leak at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project in Kerteh, involving Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB), is under control and poses no danger to public health.

Director-general Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Mohammad said strategic safety measures were taken, including sealing off the area and halting construction work to avoid any ignition risks. Only the JBPM Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Special Team is allowed in the red zone, while other responders have been advised not to perform actions that could spark fires.

He explained that JBPM, together with Petronas, is working to disperse the butane vapour cloud using fine water spray to dilute and safely dissipate the gas. A team of 10 Hazmat members has been deployed to assess hazardous areas and maintain site safety.

“If conditions permit, dispersal within a 500-metre radius will begin tonight to aid the cleaning process and remove all butane gas from the pipeline before further steps are taken by Petronas,” Nor Hisham said.

He stressed that the leak occurred far from residential areas, posing no health risk to the public. However, he cautioned that butane remains highly flammable when mixed with air in certain concentrations, which is why strict precautions are in place. The cause of the leak is still under investigation.

Earlier, police closed the Kerteh-Ranggon main road after the 9.53 am incident at Section 5 of the ECRL site. Kemaman police chief Supt Mohd Razi Rosli confirmed that the leak involved butane gas and took place about two kilometres from the main road, without affecting nearby homes. — Bernama

The Fire and Rescue department the department had implemented strategic measures to manage the situation, including closing off public access to the affected area and halting construction work to prevent sparks. — Picture by Devan Manuel

Latest

April 24, 2026
World
World
Thai opposition lawmakers to stand trial over 2021 bid to amend lese-majeste law

BANGKOK, April 24 — Thailand’s Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a petition accusing 44 current and former opposition lawmakers of ethics violations over their 2021 move to amend a law protecting the monarchy from criticism, according to Thai media reports.

April 24, 2026
Local
Local
Court upholds RM825,000 defamation award against Siti Mastura in case involving claims linking three DAP leaders to Chin

PUTRAJAYA, April 24 — The Court of Appeal today dismissed Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura’s appeal against a High Court ruling ordering her to pay RM825,000 in damages and costs for defaming three DAP leaders by linking them to former Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng.

April 23, 2026
World
World
Former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, 81, to face charges at international court over killings linked to drug

THE HAGUE, April 23 — Former Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte will stand trial at the International Criminal Court after judges on Thursday confirmed charges of crimes against humanity over his controversial “war on drugs.”