Three people were killed and 24 injured on 4 December when a powerful explosion rocked a shopping mall in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, but local officials said it was not caused by a bomb.

Malaysian security personnel inspect the site after an explosion at the City One Megamall in Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak state, on 4 December (Source: AFP)

According to Malaysia’s Bernama news agency, the blast could have been caused by a leaking gas tank.

Wan Abdul Mubin, head of the fire rescue department in the state capital Kuching, said his office received an emergency call at around 13:00 (local time) and headed for the scene.

Local authorities are investigating the incident, which was one of the worst tragedies in the state in years, he said.

Rescuers helped bring the 24 injured people to a nearby public hospital, he added.

(Source: VNA)