GEORGE TOWN, April 18 -- Penang Infrastructure Corporation (PIC) has blamed the presence of an air pocket within a boulder during controlled blasting work at the construction site of a highway project for the damage caused at an adjacent condominium yesterday.

PIC said the air pocket acted as a volatile chamber for gas accumulation.

"During the explosive initiation, the air pocket acted as a catalyst for an intensified release of energy, propelling soil forcefully toward the adjacent Jay Series condominium area," it said in a statement issued today.

It admitted that the blast damaged cars, a swimming pool, and an awning at the rest area for condominium residents.

It said the controlled rock blasting was conducted at 11am yesterday at ...