THE LATEST death toll at a fireworks factory explosion this afternoon (Jan. 17) is 21 with remains of two others still being verified, Thai Rath newspaper quoted police as saying late tonight.
Deputy Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet said upon inspecting the site of the explosion in Sala Khao subdistrict, in central Suphan Buri province, that this factory produced firecrackers to repel birds and was located in the middle of a rice field far from residential areas.
This factory had previously been hit by an explosion in November 2022 with one worker burnt to death and three others seriously injured.
A Suphan Buri native, Mrs. Saengduan Panchan, had then again got a licence to operate this factory from the provincial registrar for one year with this to expire on August 24, 2024.
She was at the factory together with son and 23 workers when the explosion occurred, all of whom are presumed to have died, he said.
The bodies of 21 victims of this blast were taken to Wat Rong Chang in this subdistrict while remains of two others are still being examined.
The deputy police chief also ordered investigators to collect evidence and determine what caused the blast while a medical team was assigned to help the families of the deceased cope with their tragic loss.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Watcharin Prasopdee, commander of the Suphan Buri provincial police, said officials had completely controlled the site of the explosion and it is unlikely for anything else to happen there.
The husband of the deceased factory owner is now being questioned at the police station.
Explosions at workshops producing firecrackers and other pyrotechnics are not uncommon in Thailand, a report by AFP and published by CNA said.
At least 10 people died after an explosion in a fireworks warehouse in Sungai Kolok town in southern Narathiwat province last year.
The blast was believed to have been caused by welding during construction work on the building, and police later sought the owners on charges of negligence.
Last year 11 people were also injured when a fireworks factory exploded in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
CAPTION:
Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet talking to reporters at the site of the explosion tonight, above, and scenes after the blast. Photos: Thai Rath
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