KOTA KINABALU: The ship worker who died at Lok Poring, Sepangggar, here yesterday was suspected to have been exposed to ammonia gas.
However, Sabah Fire and Rescue Department director Kamarulzaman Malik Abdullah said they were still waiting for lab results.
"An investigation was made on site, and it was believed the poisonous gas is ammonia, which is normally used to slow down the melting of ice to preserve fish.
"The sample has been handed over to the police for analysis by the Chemistry Department," he said when contacted today.
Kamarulzaman added the analysis might take several days to determine the type of poisonous gas.
In the incident at 12pm yesterday, Hasrul La Ridi, 42, died on the spot while unloading fish to be sent to a fertiliser plant in Sepanggar.
Two others La Eni, 31, is in critical condition and currently being treated at Hospital Likas, while La Ace, 36, only suffered mild injuries.