Blast shatters wedding plans

DUNGUN, Malaysia - They were supposed to tie the knot in December, but their plans have been shattered when Mohd Rosli Mansor died in an explosion at a Petronas gas processing plant in the GPP Complex A in Kerteh.

The couple had even bought the wedding gown, but Umi Nurul Aeisyatun Jaafar could only now keep it as a reminder of what could have been.

The 22-year-old said she and Mohd Rosli were engaged on 11.11.11 and planned to get married on 12.12.12.

"The plans were fantastic two beautiful dates," she said.

"We have known each other for five years and loved each other dearly. I never thought I would lose him this close to our wedding," she said in between sobs.

Mohd Rosli, 31, was the sole fatality in Thursday's 3pm incident. Twenty-three others were injured.

Umi Nurul said she last saw her fianc two weeks ago but as she was busy with work at a restaurant, they did not get to talk much.

"Our last conversation ended in an argument via text messages. I regret it now.

"I wish I could have more time with him. I can't believe he is gone," she added.

Mohd Afendi Yahya, 32, said he was fortunate to be alive as he was barely a metre from the bay hole of the plant where the blast originated.

"I heard a loud hissing sound, much like a gas leak.," he said.

"After a few seconds I heard a blast and I was flung from the bayhole. I was lucky to escape with only minor burns," he added.

He said he only learnt of his friend's death an hour after the incident.

"I knew someone had died but I never expected it to be Mohd Rosli.

"He was a kind and a very good friend."

Petronas Gas Berhad (PGB) in a statement said the incident did not affect the operation of other GPP units within both Complex A and Complex B.

"There is no interruption to the gas supply to the Peninsular Gas Utilisation pipeline network. PGB, however, regrets to inform that a number of personnel of Hyundai-PFCE Consortium, which is the contractor engaged to undertake maintenance works at GPP 3, were affected by the incident," it said.

The statement also stated that two personnel Mohd Fitri Mat Noor and Khairul Amir Mohd Sidi were still warded while the other affected personnel received outpatient treatment.