Gombak district police chief ACP Samsor Maarof said the incident was believed to have occurred when a man who came with his two friends to celebrate the occasion set off the fire crackers at the Middle Ring Road 2 elevated intersection at about 8.40pm.
“The crackers which should have exploded in the air exploded on the road and resulted in injuries to several people who were near the area,” he told reporters at the location of the incident, late last night.
He said three victims were sent to Selayang Hospital, two others were sent to Hospital Kuala Lumpur, one was sent to Sungai Buloh Hospital and 28 others to health clinics nearby.
The incident also caused damage to three vehicles: a Nissan Serena, a Proton Exora and a Perodua Myvi.
Samsor said the police had not issued any permit for the use of fire crackers or fireworks during the Thaipusam celebration.
“However, the act of setting off the fire crackers was not an act of treason, but one that occurred spontaneously where the purpose was to celebrate Thaipusam.
“It is possible that the crackers had exceeded the expiry date,” he added.
A 23-year-old man and his friend, 28, were detained at 1am today to assist in the investigation.
Samsor said the case is being investigated under Section 286 of the Penal Code for negligence in handling explosives.