Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Asia Wire Report

Boxes of face masks donated to Malaysia’s Chinese Consulate amid the coronavirus outbreak have been blown-up by bungling local authorities who thought they were a bomb.

The incident took place outside the Chinese Consulate in Ayer Rajah in the north-western Malaysian state of Penang after seven people appeared in front of the building with banners in support of coronavirus sufferers.

The group held up signs and delivered a passionate speech in support of Wuhan citizens and victims of the coronavirus outbreak at around 3 pm on 2nd February.

Local media said the group then packed away their banners and departed the consulate entrance, leaving behind three boxes of face masks.

Consulate staff immediately informed the fire brigade about the unidentified parcel, and the bomb squad soon showed up to detonate them.

Following the incident, police chief Soffian Santong confirmed that the group-of-seven had arrived at the consulate to show their support for China and the people of Wuhan amid the coronavirus outbreak.

He added: “They stood outside the consulate and chanted support slogans for China and left after around 30 minutes.”

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