At least nine people were killed and more than 100 others injured, when firecrackers kept in a warehouse, exploded in southern Thailand on Saturday, officials said.
The firecrackers exploded and set off a fire at the unauthorized warehouse at the Muno market in Su-ngai Kolok district in the southern province of Narathiwat bordering Malaysia, Narathiwat’s governor Sanan Phongaksorn told Reuters.
“As I reported, the number of the injured is around a hundred. We have set up a station to receive a report on casualties and damage,” Phongaksorn said.
About 115 people were injured and sent to hospital, Sanan said, adding that 106 of them had returned home.
More than 200 houses surrounding the warehouse were damaged by the explosion, affecting 365 people, with around 20 to 30 families staying at a shelter, Sanan said.
He added that the fire is under control and police will investigate the cause thoroughly again.
“It’s scary because I have warned them not to build because it’s dangerous. If it exploded, (the impact) radius would be 10 km. Why do they have to build (the warehouse) near the community? But no one cared to listen to my advice, and this has happened,” said a resident, who wished to remain anonymous.
