KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Investigations into last month’s explosion at Camp Hobart in Gurun, Kedah, revealed a grenade safety lever likely released before it was thrown, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
In a statement today, he said the conclusion was based on the blast location, evidence at the scene, and analysis of injuries sustained by both victims.
He said the Board of Inquiry (BOI) findings indicated the grenade had activated before it could be thrown, exploding while still near the upper bodies of both personnel involved.
“The investigation found that the thrower sustained serious injuries to the head and right hand, while the handler suffered serious injuries to the head, torso and left limbs,” he said.
However, he added that the absence of eyewitnesses meant investigators could not determine at which point the safety lever had been released.
The tragedy, which occurred on June 16, killed two Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) personnel during a grenade-throwing exercise at the camp.
Khaled said the investigation, launched immediately after the BOI was established on June 17, was conducted comprehensively across several levels of army command, ensuring technical aspects, procedural compliance, and witness testimonies were thoroughly examined.
“According to training procedures, grenades are maintained in stages with multiple layers of safety such as clips, pins and levers. The explosive only activates when the safety lever is released, and detonates within about five seconds,” he said.
Following the findings, he asserted that the Defence Ministry and MAF would strengthen safety procedures, grenade-handling protocols, supervision levels, and training standards to prevent a recurrence.
“Personnel safety remains a top priority. There is no compromise in ensuring training is carried out with the highest levels of compliance, supervision and safety,” Khaled said.
