PUTRAJAYA: A victim of the balloon explosion incident in Putrajaya Square this morning said she was shocked upon hearing a loud blast, and immediately smelt gas and felt hot.
Sri Rahayu Sugiono, 35, said she was standing quite far away from the balloon with her three children Nur Haffiqah Khalid, 4, Mohd Haffizal, 5, and Nur Haffizah.
"It was was just after the prize giving ceremony and the balloon (used as the launch gimmick) was below the stage. Following the explosion, my children cried.
"Members of the Civil Defence Force immediately came to offer them assistance," she said, when met at the Putrajaya Emergency and Trauma Department's lobby here today.
Sri Rahayu said her eldest child suffered minor burns on the back of his body after being hit by burning pieces of the balloon.
"My second child's left ear turned red following the incident. The doctor said she needs to undergo a follow-up treatment at the clinic, while my third child had minor burns on the back of the ear.
"I only felt a hot sensation on my face and hands, but it has subsided," she added.
She and her three children were discharged from the hospital today.
Sri Rahayu said during the incident, she heard children crying but the scene was not chaotic.
Another victim who declined to be named said the programme had ended and everyone was ready to leave.
“Suddenly, I heard an explosion, and my son ran who was near the main stage came running and hugged me.
"She only suffered minor burns," she added.
In the incident, 16 victims received treatment for burns.
Meanwhile, six of the victims are still being treated at the Putrajaya Hospital while another 10 have been released.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said those warded were five adults and an eight-year-old girl.
"The victims are being treated for second-degree burns," he told reporters after visiting the victim at Putrajaya Hospital today.
Dr Dzulkefly said six other victims were in stable condition and the hospital would continue to monitor their progress and offer counseling.
He added the incident was still under investigation.
"The helium inside the balloon is not the problem. The matter is still being investigated and it’s not fair for me to comment," he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister Teo Nie Ching said for the time being, ensuring victims get proper treatment is more important than finding out what actually happened.
He said the victims needed more time to talk about the incident.
"Some are reluctant to talk because they are not emotionally stable yet. What is important now is that they are get proper treatment," she said, adding her ministry would continue to monitor the progress of victims.