NARATHIWAT – A massive explosion that occurred at a warehouse for fireworks and pyrotechnics in southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province on Saturday killed nine people and injured 117 others.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by welding sparks, took place at 3:30 pm (local time) in Mundok, Sungai Kolok and destroyed more than 200 homes and shops, as well as 15 vehicles. The total losses are estimated at 100 million baht (approx. RM13.29 million).
To date, no Malaysian so far were involved in the explosion.
Narathiwat Governor Sanan Pongaksorn said nine killed in the incident including an eight-month toddler, his four-year-old sister and their 28-year-old mother.
A 36-year-old Indonesian woman was among 117 injured in the incident, he added.
“Preliminary findings suggest that sparks from welding had caused the blast, as workers were installing a new cabinet.
“There are more than 365 families affected by the explosion. The government will provide compensation to families of those killed in the incident as well as those injured,” he said at a press conference here today.
He added that seven of the victims were buried in a single grave on Saturday night, while the identities of two others are still pending DNA testing.
Sanan said that 10 other victims who suffered injuries are still receiving treatment at Hospital Sungai Kolok.
“More than 1,000 volunteers and officers are on the ground helping locals clean up debris left by the explosion,” he said.
The warehouse was reportedly storing a large quantity of explosives. Photos and videos showed the blast devastated a substantial area surrounding the warehouse.
Meanwhile, Commander of the Fourth Army Region, Lt-Gen Santi Sakuntanark said a special task force (BM: pasukan siasatan khas) was set up to investigate the incident.
“We will call in the warehouse owner once he is back from abroad,” he said.
— BERNAMA
