Terengganu police chief Rohaimi Isa said initial investigation found that the 27-year-old victim was playing with ball-type fireworks in polyvinyl chloride pipes in Kuala Nerus at about 3.30am yesterday.

He said there was an explosion which caused the victim to suffer severe injuries, including a broken right wrist, several shattered fingers on his left hand, and other injuries to his body, according to Harian Metro.

He said the case was being investigated under Section 8 of the Explosives Act 1957 after a police report was made by the victim’s brother.

“Efforts to detect and apprehend the trader (who sold the victim the fireworks) are ongoing,” he said.

It was reported that the victim’s brother had heard an explosion near their home. He initially thought there was a fight and called the police for assistance, but later found his brother severely injured.

Rohaimi said a similar incident last Tuesday left four children aged eight to 13 in Kuala Nerus with injuries.

He said there had been 17 fireworks-related cases in Terengganu involving 18 arrests and RM18,835 worth of goods seized from March 23 until yesterday.