Elevated imagery exposes the scale of the devastation unleashed by a fireworks catastrophe that inflicted fatalities on twelve innocent lives and left 121 others nursing various injuries. The fateful event took place in the bustling district of Sungai Kolok, located within the Narathiwat province, last Saturday afternoon. (Image Courtesy: Border Patrol Police Unit 4414)
NARATHIWAT: The proprietors of the ill-omened warehouse, where an epicpyrotechnic detonation triggered a catastrophe, plan to hand themselves over to the long arm of the law this Tuesday. These details came to light from the words of Pol Lt Gen Nanthadet Yoinual, the officer at the helm of the Provincial Police Region 9. The owners, Sompong Na Kul and Piyanut Puengworawat, both 42, had initially procured legal authorization to set up their establishment, Weerawat Panit, within the Muno area of the Sungai Kolok district.
Originally a quaint outlet catering to the local agricultural community with farming equipment and kitchen apparatus, the store eventually morphed into the focal point of this unfortunate incident. Assurances have been extended from the couple to the police expressing their intention to capitulate on the coming Tuesday. If they renege on this promise, law enforcement will be compelled to issue warrants to facilitate their arrest.
Initial charges waiting to be slapped on them are tied to the unauthorized housing of explosives which subsequently resulted in an explosion, inflicting casualties, injuries and significant property damage. However, the possibility of additional charges being heaped on them at a later stage also looms on the horizon, according to Nanthadet. The officer extrapolated, based on the craters dotting the location, that the illicit stash of fireworks probably exceeded a metric ton.
Clarification about the intended use of the warehouse space was sought by the owners from Suchart Kijakarn, serving as an assistant chief in the administration of the Sungai Kolok district. However, the actual nature of the commodities to be stored remained shrouded in ambiguity. Upon the swift conclusion of the renovation process, an assortment of fireworks began to mysteriously populate the warehouse.
The explosion claimed a dozen lives and wounded 121 others. Out of those hurt in the blast, ten had their conditions stabilize following their admission to Sungai Kolok Hospital. In the wake of the incident, nearly three hundred houses located in close proximity to the source of the explosion suffered various degrees of damage with many structures totalling beyond repair. The explosion also forced residents from hundreds of these dwellings to suddenly find themselves coping with homelessness.
In a welcome move demonstrating compassionate leadership, his Majesty the King has stepped up to bear the treatment costs for the ten victims who bore the brunt of the incident. This pledge comes under the overarching umbrella of his much-appreciated royal patronage.
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