Thirteen sailors have been injured after a Thai Navy warship accidentally fired at another docked frigate. The incident happened at the Sattahip Naval base in Chon Buri at around noon yesterday, March 14.
According to a Nation Thailand report, thick black smoke could be seen pouring from the stern of the HTMS Khirirat following the incident. A total of 4 fire engines attended the scene and it took firefighters around 30 minutes to get the fire under control.
A number of naval officers who spoke to the media on condition of anonymity, say the fire was the result of an artillery shell being accidentally discharged from HTMS Chon Buri, docked nearby.
It’s understood the vessel still had one artillery round still stuck in its guns when it returned from a firing drill the day before. That round then discharged as engineers were attempting to remove it. The Royal Thai Navy has yet to comment on the incident or confirm the cause.
Nation Thailand reports that of the 13 sailors injured, two have sustained severe injuries. They have been named as Chief Petty Officer First Class Surinya Nitboonkrong and Petty Officer First Class Jakarin Thongmanee.
All of the injured have been transferred to Sirikit Hospital.
SOURCE: Nation Thailand
