BANGKOK, Thailand – A devastating explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand has resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 people, according to provincial officials. The exact death toll has been difficult to determine due to the extent of the devastation at the scene.
The explosion took place in Suphan Buri, located about 95 kilometers northwest of Bangkok, in the heart of Thailand’s central rice-growing region. Photos posted on social media revealed a thick plume of black smoke over the scene, while images from local rescue workers showed the factory site virtually leveled.
After the explosion, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, was informed via video call by the regional police commander that there were 20 to 30 workers at the factory at the time of the explosion, and none of them could be located.
Rescue workers at the scene revealed that there were no survivors and that the bodies were in pieces, making it difficult to provide an exact count of the casualties. The explosion is under investigation by the national disaster agency to determine its cause.
National police chief Torsak Sukvimol confirmed local news reports that there had been another explosion at the factory in November 2022 that killed one worker and seriously injured three others. Legal action will be pursued for any wrongdoing involved in the new blast.
In July last year, a large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people and wounded more than 100, according to officials. The explosion, in Narathiwat province, was likely ignited by construction work in the warehouse, with sparks from metal welding causing the fireworks stored inside to catch fire and explode.
The series of explosions at fireworks facilities across Thailand have highlighted the dangers associated with the manufacturing and storage of fireworks, particularly during periods of high demand such as the Lunar New Year. The ongoing investigations and outcomes of these incidents will be closely monitored to ensure the safety and well-being of workers and surrounding communities.