An explosion in Suphan Buri province, Thailand, at a fireworks factory has resulted in the death of at least 23 people, with the cause of the blast remaining under investigation. The incident occurred in the heart of Thailand’s central rice-growing region, approximately 60 miles north-west of Bangkok.
Rescue workers at the scene have reported that no survivors were found, contradicting an earlier statement by the department of disaster prevention and mitigation that injured individuals had been recovered. The area is being secured by officials as they work to support those affected by the explosion.
The factory site was depicted in photos posted online by local rescue workers as being virtually levelled flat, with debris and body parts visible. National police chief Torsak Sukvimol noted that there had been a previous explosion at the factory in November 2022, which resulted in the death of one worker and serious injury to three others.
The cause of the blast remains undetermined, occurring less than a month before the Chinese New Year, when the demand for fireworks is high. Another explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Narathiwat province in July of the previous year killed at least 10 people and wounded over 100, causing damage to approximately 100 houses within a 1,640ft radius. The governor of Narathiwat suggested that the blast was likely ignited by construction work in the warehouse, leading to the fireworks catching fire and exploding.
This tragic incident marks the second deadly explosion at a fireworks-related facility in Thailand within a year, prompting concerns about safety standards and the supervision of such hazardous materials. Authorities are making efforts to determine the cause of the explosion and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.