Explosion at Fireworks Factory in Thailand
Bangkok — An explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand has resulted in a tragic loss of life. According to the government's disaster relief agency, at least 20 people have been killed in the incident. The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation has also reported injuries, but the exact number is yet to be determined.
Authorities are currently working to secure the site in Suphan Buri province and provide assistance to those affected by the explosion. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
Suphan Buri, located approximately 60 miles northwest of Bangkok, is situated in the heart of Thailand's central rice-growing region.
The office of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is currently attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, has shared a video showing him being informed of the situation over the phone by the regional police commander. The commander stated that there were 20 to 30 workers present at the factory during the explosion, and currently, none of them have been found.
Kritsada Manee-In, a rescue worker with the Samerkun Suphan Buri Rescue Foundation, initially estimated that around 15 to 17 people had been killed. However, due to the severity of the explosion, an accurate count is difficult as the bodies are in pieces.
Photos shared on social media displayed a thick cloud of black smoke rising above the location of the explosion in an empty rice field. Images posted online by local rescue workers revealed that the factory site was completely flattened, except for the presence of debris and human remains.
The cause of the blast, which occurred in close proximity to Chinese New Year in February, when there is high demand for fireworks, is still unknown.
Last year in July, a significant explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals and left over 100 injured, according to official reports.
The explosion in Narathiwat province occurred in a residential area and caused damage to approximately 100 houses within a 1,640-foot radius, as reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
The governor of Narathiwat stated that the explosion was likely triggered by construction work taking place in the warehouse, with sparks from metal welding causing the stored fireworks to catch fire and explode.
