An eye-stopping image greets viewers from the sky – the alarming aftermath of a fireworks eruption that claimed a dozen lives and inflicted injuries on scores of people in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat. Mid-afternoon on Saturday, the clock hands came to a halt as tragedy unfolded.
The news broke out with urgency. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha demanded immediate aid for the victims. In a statement made by the deputy government spokesperson, Rachada Dhnadirek, assurances of encompassing aid – financial and emotional – were expressed for the survivors.
The devastation from the blast was not only emotional, but physical. Over 290 homes were damaged, fifty among them were completely destroyed. The blast painted a grim picture on the canvas of tambon Muno around 3pm.
Rachada confirmed that unconditional emergency assistance had been provided to all victims, and the governor of Narathiwat orchestrated temporary accommodation arrangements at the athletic field of the Muno Subdistrict Administrative Organisation.
Empathy and assistance also came from the royal quarters. His Majesty the King extended survival kits for the affected families, also facilitating a canteen at the shelter. Gen Prayut humbly acknowledged and appreciated his Majesty’s cordiality, as conveyed by Rachada.
Safety measures are now of utmost priority. The Commander of the 4th Army, Lt Gen Santi Sakultanak has ordered a thorough scrutiny of the safety standards of all fireworks warehouses spanning across Narathiwat. This directive of inspection extends to Pattani and Yala as well.
Lt Gen Santi made his presence felt at the shelter on Sunday, closely observing the condition of the survivors. A thorough inquiry has been launched to ascertain if the fireworks factory had the necessary permissions to operate.
According to one source, based on the size of the havoc-inducing blast that left two deep holes on the site, it is estimated that the warehouse contained atleast 5 tonnes of fireworks. The lingering question remains – how long had they been there?
The factory, stamped with the name ‘Wirawat Panich’, has been the subject of much speculation. The owner of the factory, currently holidaying with his family, has been summoned for inquiry. However, the timeline to this remains clouded in uncertainty.
Police Chief of Narathiwat, Pol Maj Gen Anurut Im-arb, has hinted at the possibility of a slew of criminal charges that the owner could potentially face.
Negligence causing death, unlicensed import or sales of fireworks under the purview of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Fireworks Act could be included in the dossier of charges brought against the owner.
The possibility of charges accumulating against the accused does not stop here. If investigators could establish violation of the 1992 Factory Act and the 1998 Labour Protection Act, additional charges could be added, says Anurut.
As of now, an army of over fifty forensic experts are working fervently, collecting evidence from the scene. Simultaneously, local residents are being interviewed by Muno police station investigators, piecing together the sorrowful jigsaw puzzle of the moments leading up to the catastrophe.
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