Suphan Buri, Thailand – A tragic explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri, Thailand has resulted in the loss of at least 23 lives, officials have reported.
The cause of the explosion at the factory in Suphan Buri province is currently under investigation, with officials working diligently to secure the site and provide aid to those affected.
According to rescue workers at the scene, no survivors have been found, contradicting earlier statements by the department of disaster prevention and mitigation. The factory, located about 60 miles northwest of Bangkok, is situated in the heart of Thailand’s central rice-growing region.
The Prime Minister, who is currently in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum, received video footage of the devastation and was informed by the regional police commander that around 20 to 30 workers had been at the factory at the time of the explosion, but none of them could be located.
Kritsada Manee-In, a rescue worker with the Samerkun Suphan Buri Rescue Foundation, initially estimated that 15 to 17 people had died in the explosion.
Photos shared on social media showed thick plumes of black smoke rising from the scene of the blast, which was situated in an otherwise empty rice field. The factory site itself was virtually leveled, with debris and body parts visible in the aftermath of the explosion.
Reports revealed that there had been a previous explosion at the factory in November 2022, which resulted in the death of one worker and serious injuries to three others. National police chief Torsak Sukvimol confirmed these reports and stated that legal action will be pursued if any wrongdoing is discovered.
The cause of the blast has not yet been determined, and its occurrence less than a month before Chinese New Year has raised concerns due to the high demand for fireworks during the holiday. Additionally, last year in July, another explosion at a different fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand resulted in the deaths of at least 10 people and injuries to over 100 individuals.
The prior explosion in Narathiwat province was linked to construction work at the warehouse, where sparks from metal welding ignited the fireworks stored inside and led to the devastating blast, causing extensive damage to surrounding residential areas.