THE NAVY has admitted that a malfunctioning gun on HTMS Chonburi had fired an artillery shell at HTMS Khirirat while both were docked at Laem Thian pier at Sattahip naval base, Chonburi, sparking a fire that led to many people being injured earlier today (Mar. 14) and has set up a committee to investigate and come up with answers within three days, Amarin TV said.
RADM. Wirudom Muangjeen, the navy’s spokesman, said the situation is now under control after a 76mm artillery shell stuck in the barrel of the gun was accidently fired while technicians were repairing it.
HTMS Chonburi’s crew had taken basic precaution after discovering the faulty gun with an artillery round stuck in it and sailed back from a drill to this pier for repairs yesterday.
HTMS Khirirat, a patrol frigate, was slightly damaged in the aft area but is still seaworthy.
While there were no fatalities in this accident, as many as 14 people got injured with most of them through suffocation and all have been admitted to Queen Sirikit Naval Hospital.
Navy Chief ADM. Adung Phan-iam ordered ADM. Chatchai Thongsa-at, head of Fleet Operations Command, to set up a committee to investigate this accident and report back to him within three days.
He is very concerned about what happened, especially those who got injured.
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Top and Front Page: Firemen putting out the blaze at HTMS Khirirat. Photo: Amarin TV
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