The world of Tzu Chi June 2025 (Vol.154)

2025 • 06 08 F lames lit up the sky, painting it orange as fine sand rained down. As Masnani’s family fled in their car, her heart pounded with fear, worried the intense heat might cause the vehicle to explode. Having relocated to higher ground after the 2021 Klang Valley floods, she never imagined facing yet another ordeal, this time, an explosion and fire. Relief only came when she arrived at the relief centre and saw the familiar blue-and-white uniforms of Tzu Chi volunteers. “They were there during the floods too,” she recalled. “At that moment, I knew we were not alone.” A festival morning turned nightmare At around 8 a.m. on April 1, 2025, just the second day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a massive explosion shattered the peaceful morning in Putra Heights, Selangor. A natural gas pipeline leak had ignited, triggering a violent blast that erupted into a towering inferno. The blaze soared as high as 30 metres, with temperatures exceeding 1,000°C. The shockwaves rippled across kilometres, shaking homes and hearts alike. The devastation was immense. Approximately 219 premises were damaged, and 150 people sustained injuries, many with severe burns. Nearly 400 vehicles were either incinerated or melted by the searing heat. Among the hardest-hit neighbourhoods were Putra Harmoni, Kampung Kuala Sungai Baru, and Kampung Tengah. In their desperate bid to escape, some residents jumped into a nearby river over two metres deep. What had begun as a joyful morning quickly descended into chaos, fear, loss, and uncertainty. First to respond: Tzu Chi in action Within hours of the explosion, Tzu Chi volunteers arrived at the Putra Heights Mosque, [Photo by Teh Poh Tat]