The harrowing incident unfurled at approximately 12.10pm, ravaging the entirety of the factory and causing extensive damage to both vehicles and residential properties in a 500-metre radius. Those injured in the ordeal were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for urgent care and treatment.
Satit Khamnorkaew, the esteemed mayor of the San Pu Loei subdistrict municipality, relayed that safety measures were promptly implemented, with firefighters barring access to the disaster-stricken area. Their primary concern was the latent threats posed by the potassium reserves within the factory, which carried the potential to instigate a series of consecutive explosions.
To aid those detrimentally impacted by this calamitous event, a help center has been established in the locality. Khamnorkaew added ruefully how history seemed to be repeating itself, given that the factory had fallen prey to another equally devastating explosion six to seven years prior.
In a bid to unravel the mystery surrounding the cause of the explosion, the police initiated a swift investigation. According to Pol Colonel Thongchai Kannika, who serves as the superintendent at Doi Saket Police Station, a pivotal account was forthcoming from an individual named “Pongsiri”.
Pongsiri reportedly testified that the explosion was set off by a wayward spark, emanating from a failing electric cut-out. The spark found its way to the factory’s fireworks storage area, consequently triggering a catastrophic explosion. Instantaneously, a whirlwind of dust and debris transformed the serene environment into a ravaged wasteland, marking a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of industrial mishaps.
This unfortunate incident has indeed highlighted the critical importance of stringent adherence to safety standards and practices in industrial undertakings. Lessons learned from such a dire calamity will hopefully drive more effective preventive strategies in the future, thus ensuring the safety and well-being of workers and nearby residents.
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