A FIRE spread on HTMS Kirirat while docked at Laem Thian, Sattahip district, Chonburi province, after being hit by a rogue cannonball accidentally fired by HTMS Chonburi, Matichon newspaper said today (Mar. 14).
HTMS Chonburi had sailed out for a drill but a cannonball stuck in a barrel accidentally fired at HTMS Kirirat at 12.40 p.m. – damaging it and sparking a fire.
It was reported that many people had been injured in the accident and had been taken to hospital but the Thai navy has still to confirm this.
HTMS Kirirat, number 432, is a patrol frigate that has served the navy and the nation for 50 years.
In 1969, the navy ordered a frigate from Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation, United States, which was named HTMS Tapi.
In 1971 the navy ordered one more frigate, with this named HTMS Kirirat when it entered service on August 10, 1974.
CAPTION:
Above and Front Page: Firefighters putting out the blaze aboard HTMS Kiriat. Photos:Matichon
CORRECTION: It was an artillery shell and not a cannonball that a malfunctioning gun on HTMS Chonburi fired at HTMS Khirirat. We regret this error. Please read follow-up report below:
Navy admits warship’s malfunctioning gun fired artillery shell at patrol frigate
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