Bandar proton city: Eleven workers at a factory in Bandar Proton City near Tanjong Malim suffered breathing difficulties and eye irritation after being exposed to a spill of isocyanate-based chemicals this afternoon.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) acting assistant director of operations, Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah, stated that nine firefighters from the Tanjong Malim Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) rushed to the scene upon receiving an emergency call at 2.42 pm. Investigations revealed a leak in the piping system, resulting in about 15 litres of the chemical spilling. All the victims were sent to a nearby clinic before the fire department team arrived.

Shazlean mentioned that the operations commander contacted the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team for advice and cleaning procedures. He confirmed that the leak was successfully sealed and cleaning works were carried out using sand in the affected area, with cleaning and containment operations still ongoing at the scene.

MEANWHILE, Muallim Deputy District Police Chief DSP Suhaimi Muhamad, in a separate statement, reported that police received a report from the Tanjung Malim Health Clinic at about 2.20 pm regarding the incident. The clinic had reported the matter after several victims sought treatment, claiming they had inhaled chemical fumes at the factory.

He noted that a total of 23 male local workers were affected and received treatment after inhaling chemical gases (isocyanates) while carrying out maintenance work at the site. All the victims, aged between 19 and 45, were sent to Slim River Hospital for further treatment and are all in stable condition. He added that the situation is now under control and there is no further threat to public safety.