MUEANG SUPHAN BURI, Thailand. An explosion at a firework factory north of Bangkok in Suphan Buri province has claimed the lives of around 20 individuals, with authorities indicating that no survivors have been found. The incident occurred mid-afternoon on Wednesday, leaving the site in ruins and prompting a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause.
Provincial governor Nattapat Suwanprateep stated, “We cannot tell whether all the workers were killed. The officials are entering the site to investigate. They have not found any survivors.” Preliminary reports put the death toll at 20, with numerous others injured.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, currently attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, received a briefing on the explosion and called for a swift investigation. His office emphasized the need for enforcing the law to its fullest extent if negligence was identified as the cause.
Rescue workers faced the grim task of recovering the remains of the 23 apparent victims the day after the blast. The factory, located in a rural area, sustained severe damage, making it challenging to determine the exact number of casualties.
Families and friends of the victims gathered at a temple where remains were stored, providing DNA samples to aid identification. However, uniformed local officials attempted to limit interactions with reporters, while grieving individuals openly wept.
Deputy governor Don Samitakestarin confirmed a death toll of 23, not expected to rise. National police chief Torsak Sukvimol, overseeing police operations in Suphan Buri, reported 22 bodies found and one person considered missing but presumed dead. The cause of the blast remains undetermined, and forensic science will be crucial in piecing together the events leading to the explosion.
The factory, which produced small fireworks to scare away birds, had met the legal requirements for operation. A prior explosion in November 2022 resulted in one death and three serious injuries, but it did not prevent the factory from obtaining a new permit.
The remains of the victims were taken to Wat Rong Chang, a Buddhist temple in the provincial capital, Mueang Suphan Buri, awaiting confirmation of their identities. The government pledged maximum compensation of 300,000 baht ($8,400) per affected household.
The 16 women and seven men presumed dead include workers and family members of the factory’s owner. Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin, present in Suphan Buri, announced plans to brief Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on ways to improve weak interagency cooperation at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. The incident follows a similar explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand last July, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures in the industry.
