The students were among 125 people in a Malaysian primary school hall for a colouring contest marking the anniversary of national independence in Kangar, Malaysia. Injured pupils and teacher Norhayati Mat were sent to nearby Tuanku Fauziah Hospital for treatment.
A teacher, who declined to be named, said he believed that the rock came from a cement quarry that carried out rock blasting activities 500 metres from the school. Several other rocks damaged the roof of the canteen, dormitory and science laboratory.
“I sustained injuries to my head and shoulder after a projector fell on me,? said Norayati Mat. “The rock crashed through the roof, bringing down the ceiling, and it landed on the stage. We were all shocked. This is the first time that such an incident has happened.?
It is understood that rock blasting activities are carried out at noon and 5pm daily. A teacher said residents were used to tremors from the rock blasting activities. However, this was the first time that rocks from the quarry have damaged the school’s facilities.
The awning of a nearby house and the house owner’s two cars were also damaged in the incident.
Voluntary investigation
Cement Industries of Malaysia (CIMA) said in a statement that it had voluntarily decided to stop blasting activities at the site pending a detailed investigation. The investigation would be undertaken with the Malaysian Mineral and Geoscience Department as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Department.
?All blasting work at the area involved will cease as of today. Future blasting activities will be relocated to safer areas further away from residential areas and schools,? the statement said.
CIMA has also agreed to revise the time of the blasting in consultation with the school and relevant government agencies. The company said it met with the headmaster and the school?s parent-teacher association soon after the incident.
?The management of CIMA is looking at providing necessary assistance to those affected by this unfortunate incident,? the statement added.
Sources: FMT News, The New Straits Times
Image source: The New Straits Times