Explosion In Thai Fireworks Factory, Leaving 23 Dead

A massive explosion ripped through a fireworks factory in central Thailand. It left at least 23 people dead and several injured. The incident occurred in a remote area of Suphan Buri province, approximately 120 kilometers north of Bangkok.

In Suphan Buri, Thailand, a devastating explosion at a fireworks factory has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, as reported by provincial officials on Wednesday. The incident occurred in the afternoon, and authorities from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are actively working to secure the site and assist those affected.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation, and rescue workers on the scene have not found any survivors so far. Conflicting information has surfaced, with provincial authorities contradicting the department’s statement about recovering wounded individuals.

Suphan Buri, located about 60 miles northwest of Bangkok, in the heart of Thailand’s central rice-growing region, now faces the aftermath of this tragic event. The explosion comes less than a month before the Chinese New Year, a period of high demand for fireworks.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, currently in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, received a distressing phone call from the regional police commander. The commander reported that there were 20 to 30 workers at the factory during the explosion, and none of them could be located.

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Rescue Is On

Rescue worker Kritsada Manee-In expressed the difficulty of determining the exact death toll due to the bodies being in pieces. Disturbing images on social media show a thick plume of black smoke and the factory site virtually leveled flat.

This is not the first incident involving the factory; in November 2022, another explosion occurred, resulting in one fatality and three serious injuries. National police chief Torsak Sukvimol verified previous explosion reports and declared an intention to pursue legal action against any wrongdoing.

This tragic event follows a similar incident in July last year when a fireworks warehouse exploded in southern Thailand, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 100. The explosion, in Narathiwat province, was attributed to construction work igniting the fireworks stored inside. Sparks from metal welding were believed to have caused the deadly chain reaction, damaging around 100 houses in the vicinity.