Malaysian injured in Betong bomb blast recovering

Seoh, of Kuala Pekan Baru, Baling, is under treatment at the Betong Hospital after shrapnel fractured a rib bone.

He said he had come to Betong with three friends on a personal errand. Seoh also said he wanted to be transferred to the Penang Hospital because many of his relatives were there, but he would discuss this with his family members first.

The hospital authorities said Seoh would have to make a request to the Malaysian consulate in Songkhla to get an ambulance from Baling to fetch him at the border.

The Betong Hospital would only send him to the border.

Three people were killed and 36 people injured in the bomb blast in front of the Holiday Hill Hotel at 4.40pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, three other Malaysians said they were lucky to have escaped the bomb blast.

M. Chanderan, 41, of Ipoh, Perak, said he had arrived here at about 1pm with three friends and the blast had occurred just metres away from their hotel.

"I am thankful that my friends are also safe," he said.

One of his friends, A. Surenthran, 22, of Bidor, Perak, said he broke down in fear after seeing the condition of the injured.

"Two friends and I prayed and thanked God for our safety," he said.

Another Malaysian, M. Jayabalan, 37, said the blast occurred several minutes after he had passed that area.