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Reeya Kaur Thandal, a 19-year-old first-year law student at HELP University, is recovering at Hospital Kuala Lumpur after the Bukit Damansara campus explosion left her with multiple skull fractures and brain bleeding
The blast, caused by an air-conditioning compressor during maintenance work on the fourth floor, killed Soo Yu Jian, a 24-year-old student intern from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), with Reeya among the most seriously hurt.
Her father, Ravin Singh, described learning of the incident as a "nightmare", adding that all they could do now was pray for her recovery and remain positive.
"She was the most severely injured compared to the other victims. I feel like I am in a nightmare, hoping to wake up and find that this is not real," he told the New Straits Times.
"All we can do now is to pray for her and stay positive."
Reeya's mother, Maneejet Kaur Jasal, called her daughter "the heart of our family", while her aunt Jagdish described her as a fighter and a "tough cookie", highlighting her resilience, determination, and caring nature.
Ravin shared a recent Facebook post from Reeya, noting it was the first time she had posted a photo of herself with her parents.
This photo from Reeya Kaur Thandal's (centre) Facebook account, posted on 6 January, shows her with her parents just days before the explosion.
Image via Reeya ThandalReeya was in the cafeteria on the fourth floor when the explosion occurred
Three air-conditioning maintenance contractors were working on an industrial compressor at the time.
The blast also injured three other students, two cafeteria workers, two contractors, and a member of the university's management.
"She was at the wrong place at the wrong time. It could have happened to anyone. The best thing to do is to keep the victims in your prayers, hope that they recover and ensure this will never happen again," Ravin said.
HELP University representatives have been at the hospital to support the victims and their families, and the university has pledged full cooperation with authorities. The affected campus building remains closed while safety inspections and investigations continue.
Currently, Reeya and one maintenance contractor remain in the hospital, while the other victims are believed to have been discharged.
