PETALING JAYA (Dec 4): An explosion rocked CityONE Megamall in Kuching, Sarawak, at around 3.30pm today, reported the New Straits Times.

The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) said about 29 people were hurt in the incident, while the bodies of three men were found trapped under the rubble, reported The Malaysian Insight.

Director Khiruddin Drahman said the three deceased persons were two employees of a food outlet named Nene Chicken that was undergoing renovations and an employee of the contractor undertaking the renovation works.

The explosion was believed to have been caused by a leaking oxyacetylene tank used in welding works at the shop.

Six people were found trapped under the debris, but only three were successfully rescued by Bomba.

George Sting, 39, told Bernama he was buying a pizza at the outlet when a blast ripped through the shop, causing the workers -- some of who were badly injured -- to run out of the store.

Meanwhile, 46-year-old Wina Simion said she was having pizza with her family at the shop when the explosion occured, causing their table to fly up.