Three injured after fireworks accidentally lands in church

PETALING JAYA: A couple and a Zimbabwean national were injured after they were hit by fireworks at the Luther Centre Church, in Jalan Utara here today.

According to Petaling Jaya district police chief ACP Mohd Zani Che Din, in the 12.45am incident, a priest in his 50s reported hearing explosions after people began leaving the church following a prayer session for the New Year.

"The priest found a married couple who sustained injuries to their backs and brows, along with a 25-year-old Zimbabwean varsity student who suffered burns on his forehead after the firework struck them at close range.

"The incident was believed to have been triggered following a commotion involving a group of 'mat rempits' on eight motorcycles who had been pursued by several individuals prior to the explosions," he said today.

Mohd Zani ruled out sabotage on the church as the incident coincidentally took place in front of the church where firecrackers were thrown – one landed on the road shoulder and one inside the entrance of the church.

"The incident has nothing to do with religious issue and it is a provocation between two groups of assailants," he added.

Police were told by witnesses that they were unable to ascertain the identity of the suspects or give a clear account of what happened, as it was dark at that time.

Police are in the midst of obtaining close-circuit television (CCTV) recordings along the road where the incident took place.

Those with information are urged to contact the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters at 03-97662222.