BANGKOK, Thailand – A devastating explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand has resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 people, according to provincial officials. However, the extent of the devastation has made it difficult to confirm the exact death toll.
The explosion, which occurred in Suphan Buri, a city about 95 kilometers northwest of Bangkok, has left the scene with a thick plume of black smoke and the factory site virtually leveled flat, as seen in photos posted on social media.
The information office of the provincial government initially reported 23 deaths, but later revised the figure to 19 dead and three missing. This comes as the national Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation previously estimated at least 20 fatalities.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, received a phone call from the regional police commander informing him that 20 to 30 workers were at the factory during the explosion and none of them could be found. Despite early estimates from rescue workers, the exact number of casualties remains unclear due to the condition of the bodies.
The explosion, less than a month before Chinese New Year, has raised concerns about the demand for fireworks and the safety at fireworks factories. The national disaster agency stated that the cause of the blast is under investigation.
This incident is not the first at this particular factory, as there was another explosion in November 2022 that resulted in one death and three serious injuries. The police have stated that they will pursue legal action for any wrongdoing involved in the latest accident.
In July last year, a similar tragedy occurred at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 100. This raises questions about the safety regulations and oversight of fireworks production and storage in the country. The previous explosion in Narathiwat province was determined to have been likely ignited by construction work in the warehouse.
The Thai government will need to address the safety of fireworks production and storage facilities to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.