Explosion of hydrogen-filled balloons

An explosion involving several entertainment balloons filled with hydrogen. The balloons were used as props at a public sport event for children. The explosion caused light injuries to 16 persons.

The INITIATING CAUSE was the exposure of the hydrogen ballons to a flame. Someone tried to cut the string tied to a bunch of balloons with a cigarette lighter, when the flames struck one of the balloons before the whole bunch exploded. A discarded cigarette lighter was found at the scene.

The ROOT CAUSE was the lack of regulation prohibiting the use of hydrogen for entertainment balloons.

The 16 victims suffered first and second-degree burns. The injury areas varied, with burns in the eyebrows, hair and hands. Out of the 16, among which young children, only 4 adults remained hospitalised for several days.

Hydrogen is much cheaper than helium, therefore, in absence of a regulation, operators prefer to use hydrogen. Several countries have already in place since long a prohibition on hydrogen-filled entertainment balloons. On the wake of this incident, experts called the Malaysian government to ban this type of balloons. Enforcing measures are required as well, including clear guidelines for event organisers.