KOTA KINABALU: A man was seriously injured after a suspected fish bomb he was making exploded in the kitchen of a house in Kampung Keliangau, Manggatal, here today.
Kota Kinabalu district police chief ACP Shahrudin Mat Husain said the 37-year-old victim sustained serious injuries to both hands and his abdomen in the incident, which occurred at about 2.15 pm.
“The victim was taken to Menggatal Health Clinic before being referred to Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQEI). He was reported to be in critical condition and unconscious,” he said in a statement today.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the victim was believed to have been making a homemade explosive device for fishing purposes.
Following the incident, police, together with the Bomb Disposal Unit from the Sabah police contingent headquarters and officers from the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters, inspected the scene.
“During the inspection, several materials suspected of being used to make homemade fish bombs were found and seized for technical examination and further investigation,” he said.
He said further investigations were under way to determine the actual cause of the explosion, the source of the materials used and whether other individuals were involved.
“The public is reminded not to make, possess or handle explosives without valid authorisation, as such acts are not only against the law but can also endanger themselves and those around them,” he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957.