At least 118 people were injured, according to the Narathiwat Public Relations Department, and the inhabitants of more than 200 homes were affected. Authorities believed there were still people trapped under the rubble and waiting to be rescued.
Videos posted on social networks from the place showed a huge cloud of smoke over the area and many damaged structures, cars and motorcycles, as well as streets covered in rubble. Many of the houses and other buildings had collapsed walls and roofs.
The local public relations agency reported that the explosion had caused damage in a radius of about 500 meters (1,640 feet). Some 100 residences in the area were damaged, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Relief.
The detonation was likely due to construction work at the warehouse and welding sparks had ignited pyrotechnics at the site, provincial governor Sanan Pongaksorn told Thai PBS public broadcaster.
FOUNTAIN: Associated Press
Leave your comment
