BANGKOK, THAILAND – An explosion at a fireworks factory in Suphan Buri province has claimed the lives of at least 23 people. The cause of the blast is currently under investigation by authorities.
Rescue workers are still working to secure the site and provide assistance to those affected by the tragedy. However, no survivors have been found at the scene. The factory, located in the heart of Thailand’s central rice-growing region, was reported to have around 20 to 30 workers inside at the time of the explosion.
The office of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was abroad at the time, released a video showing him being informed of the incident by the regional police commander. Local rescue workers have estimated that as many as 17 people may have been killed, and images shared on social media show the factory site completely leveled with a thick plume of black smoke rising from the scene.
National police chief Torsak Sukvimol confirmed 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. The cause of the most recent blast, which occurred less than a month before the Chinese New Year, remains unclear. Demand for fireworks typically increases significantly before the holiday, and this incident adds to the country’s history of deadly fireworks-related accidents.
In July of the previous year, a similar explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand resulted in 10 casualties and over 100 injuries. This tragic event serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with the production and storage of fireworks, especially in highly populated areas.
Authorities have confirmed their commitment to pursue legal action for any negligence or wrongdoing involved in the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion.