Suphan Buri, Thailand – An explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri, Thailand has tragically claimed the lives of at least 23 individuals, officials confirmed. The incident, which occurred in the heart of Thailand’s central rice-growing region, is currently under investigation to determine the cause of the blast.
Authorities are diligently working to secure the site and provide assistance to those affected by the explosion. Rescue workers on the scene have reported that no survivors have been found, contradicting earlier statements indicating that injured individuals had been recovered. The devastation caused by the explosion is evident, with photos showing a thick plume of black smoke rising over the site and the factory itself virtually leveled flat.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is currently attending the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, was informed of the tragedy over the phone by the regional police commander. According to reports, there were approximately 20 to 30 workers at the factory at the time of the explosion, and none of them have been located. Rescue worker Kritsada Manee-In had initially estimated that around 15 to 17 people had lost their lives in the blast.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred at the factory, as it was revealed that another explosion took place in November 2022, resulting in the death of one worker and serious injuries to three others. National police chief Torsak Sukvimol confirmed the previous explosion and stated that legal action would be pursued for any wrongdoing involved in the recent blast.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear, but the timing of the incident – less than a month before Chinese New Year – raises concerns due to the high demand for fireworks during this period. In a similar incident last year in Narathiwat province, a large explosion at a fireworks warehouse claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and resulted in over 100 injuries.
Authorities in Narathiwat attributed the explosion to construction work in the warehouse, which ignited sparks from metal welding and caused the stored fireworks to catch fire and explode. The blast, which occurred in a residential area, caused significant damage to approximately 100 houses within a radius of 1,640 feet. The recent incident in Suphan Buri serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with the manufacturing and handling of fireworks.