BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) — A devastating explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand has resulted in the death of at least 15 people, according to a rescue worker. The exact number of casualties is uncertain, but local media reports have varied in their estimates.
Kritsada Manee-In, a rescue worker with the Samerkun Suphan Buri Rescue Foundation, stated that approximately 15 to 17 individuals have lost their lives. Disturbing photos shared by local rescue workers in Suphan Buri province depict the aftermath of the explosion, which left the site completely flattened except for scattered debris and body parts.
The cause of the blast remains unclear, but it occurred just weeks before the upcoming Chinese New Year in February, coinciding with a heightened demand for fireworks. Notably, a similar tragedy took place in July last year in southern Thailand, where a massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse claimed the lives of at least 10 people and injured more than 100 others. The incident, in Narathiwat province, caused extensive damage to approximately 100 houses within a radius of about 500 meters.
According to officials, the explosion in Narathiwat was triggered by construction work at the warehouse, with sparks from welding likely igniting the stored fireworks, resulting in the catastrophic blast. The latest explosion serves as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with the production and storage of fireworks.
As the community in central Thailand reels from this devastating event, investigations are underway to determine the cause of this tragic incident and ensure that necessary safety measures are put in place to prevent similar disasters in the future.