Man killed by exploding homemade firearm while hunting in Rompin

KUANTAN: A 62-year-old man died from wounds believed to have been caused by a homemade firearm while hunting with friends in the Tebu Hitam forest area in Rompin on Sunday (May 4).

Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman (pic) said a report on the incident was received the same day.

The victim was reportedly hunting with six friends when the incident occurred.

“The homemade firearm is believed to have exploded, injuring the man’s finger before (the blast hit) the right side of his chest,” he said in a statement late Monday (May 5).

He said a post-mortem conducted at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot injury to the chest, and the case has been classified as a sudden death report (SDR).

On a related matter, Comm Yahaya said police have arrested six men including an Orang Asli on suspicion of involvement in illegal hunting activities.

The suspects are aged between 35 and 67, he added.

Police also seized five homemade firearms and an Italian-made Benelli Armi shotgun which is manufactured only in the community of Urbino.

He said further investigations are ongoing under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960, and stressed that the police will not hesitate to act against anyone found in possession of homemade firearms or firearms without a valid licence.

“We urge anyone in possession of homemade or unlicensed firearms to surrender them to the authorities immediately, or face legal action,” he said. – Bernama