Another fireworks warehouse explosion, this time in the very south of Thailand, compared to last week’s explosion in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
An explosion and subsequent fire at a fireworks warehouse in the southern province of Narathiwat has killed 12 people. Thai PBS World reports that the explosion happened on Saturday afternoon, July 29, in the district of Sungai Kolok, right on the Malaysian border.
The blast also damaged more than 200 nearby houses in the sub-district of Muno, along with a hospital, police station, and the sub-district administrative organisation’s office. According to a preliminary police report, the explosion was caused by sparks from a welding torch being used by a worker trying to repair a shelf at the warehouse.
The number of dead was initially confirmed as 9, but that rose to 12 yesterday. 10 survivors remain in hospital, while another 98 have been discharged, according to a Thai PBS World report.
Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong from Thailand’s health ministry says of the 10 hospitalised, 6 are female, 2 are male, and 2 are children. The victims have sustained injuries to their faces, heads, and bodies.
According to Opart, additional medical personnel are being deployed to the Sungai Kolok district hospital, to provide psychiatric help to those who’ve been left traumatised by the incident.
Staff are also being sent to help those who may develop breathing difficulties, digestive symptoms, and irritated skin and/or eyes, as a result of exposure to harmful chemicals released during the blast.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
