A FIRE that broke out at a grove of bamboo trees in front of a barbed wire fence at Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani province ignited old explosives injuring two Thai soldiers, PPTVHD36 said today (Jan. 30).
The Second Army Region was informed by soldiers stationed at Chong An Ma that the fire broke out at a cliffside of this area where heavy fighting took place with there also being unexploded ordnance around.
As the fire spread and ignited some explosives there was a sudden blast with shrapnel injuring the two Thai soldiers. They were given first aid and rushed to Nam Yuen Hospital.
Injured were Sgt. Maj. Thammarat Khlaithip, a Rifle Unit squad leader, who lost consciousness after injuring his collar bone then began experiencing confusion and low blood pressure. Doctors decided to transfer him to Sapphasitthiprasong Military Hospital by air. Pvt. Weerasak Kanharueang too lost consciousness and was also flown to this hospital.
The type and size of the explosive devices that exploded are currently being investigated.
According to eyewitnesses, before the explosion, a fire broke out in the bamboo grove in front of the barbed wire fence and as they were preparing to spray water to put it out and prevent it from spreading to the operations base the explosion suddenly occurred.
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Top and Front Page – The site of the blast sparked by a fire that injured two soldiers.
Insert – One of the two soldiers being admitted to hospital for treatment. Both photos – PPTVHD36
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