39 fall ill in gas leak at Malaysian airport facility

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — A gas leak Thursday at an engineering section of Kuala Lumpur's international airport saw 39 people fall ill, a Malaysian emergency services official said.


"A total of 39 victims suffered from dizziness and nausea," local rescue officer Muhammad Nur Khairi Samsumin said in a statement.


He said 24 victims were discharged, 14 others were at the Air Disaster Unit receiving care and one was hospitalized.


All those affected work for three companies operating at the facility.


The incident did not disrupt air travel at the country's top airport.


Muhammad Nur said the leaked gas was identified as methyl mercaptan and the source was an "unused tank" at the facility.


"Work to cover the leak was being done by the emergency crew," he said, adding that the tank would be dismantled and disposed of.


Muhammad Nur said methyl mercaptan is added to liquefied petroleum gas to give it a smell, alerting people to any leaks. The gas has a strong odor akin to rotten cabbages.