ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – A fireworks factory located in central Thailand exploded and killed 18 people.
The explosion occurred on Thursday, January 18 at around 15.00 local time in a remote area in Suphan Buri province, about 120 km north of the capital, Bangkok.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known for certain. Widely circulated photos on social media posted by local rescue workers in Suphan Buri showed the scene of an empty rice field, flattened with rubble and body parts, with plumes of black smoke rising above it.
The explosion occurred less than a month before Chinese New Year, which falls on February 10, when demand for fireworks is high.
The provincial governor said no victims had been found.
“There are casualties, we are checking how many people died,” said police colonel Theerapoj Rawangban as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Prime Minister Srettha, who was present at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, expressed his condolences and called for a speedy investigation.
“The Prime Minister ordered an inspection of the factory to see whether it was operating legally and whether the explosion was caused by negligence. The law must be enforced to the fullest extent possible as there are innocent fatalities and injuries,” his office said.
In July 2023, a massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand killed at least 12 people and injured more than 100, according to officials. (ATN)
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