Seven chlorine gas cylinders removed from Kampung Tambak Paya

Fire and Rescue Department (Operation) deputy superintendent Kamarulzaman Mohd Din said the cylinders, which were successfully removed at 10.10 pm, were escorted by eight vehicles from the department's Hazardous Materials Management Unit (Hazmat) and police vehicles.

"We move as a convoy until Rawang, Selangor to transfer these cylinders to ensure they reach a specialised facility safely with the assistance from a company appointed by the owner," he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said about 250 residents of the village were being evacuated to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Tambak Paya relief centre and would be allowed to return home Friday after the operation ended.

A Bernama check revealed the Hazmat team conducted the removal work while the road to the village was closed since the operation started at 4 pm Friday.

On Thursday, residents had to be evacuated when one of the seven drums containing chlorine gas leaked and spread around a one-kilometre radius from the village and so far 40 people were still being treated at Melaka and Jasin hospitals.