Melaka police chief Abd Jalil Hassan said the local company was identified from the serial number found on the drums. He however declined to reveal the name of the company as the case was still under investigation.
“We are investigating whether the drums were dumped (by the company) or if the responsibility to dispose of the chemical substances was given to others. It is believed the substance is compacted chlorine acid that is used in water-related industries.
“The chemicals should be disposed of at the specialised facility in Bukit Pelanduk, Negeri Sembilan with proper treatment,” he told reporters after officiating the closing of the 2017 Series 13 Summer Camp in Ayer Keroh here today.
Yesterday, residents of the village had to be evacuated when one of the seven drums containing the chlorine gas leaked and spread around a one-kilometre radius of the village. So far, 40 people were still being treated at hospitals in Melaka and Jasin.
Jalil said police had taken the statements of three witnesses, who saw two individuals unloading the drums from a lorry in the area yesterday before fleeing the scene.
“The witnesses saw yellow smoke coming out of a drum before they started feeling nauseous and began vomiting. The three, aged between 25 and 35, are still being treated in the hospital,” he added.
He said police were tracking down the two individuals and the lorry used in the dumping under Section 269/270 of the Penal Code for negligence or a malignant act which may spread disease dangerous to life.
He said the industry or company linked to the usage of the chemical had been urged to ensure the substances were properly disposed of or treated at the designated facility.
He said all 60 residents evacuated to a relief centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tampak Paya yesterday were allowed to return home after it was declared safe by the Chemistry Department and the Fire and Rescue Department.
At noon today, Bernama observed that the dumping site of the seven drums of chlorine gas, had been sealed and was being monitored by police and firemen.