18-4-2024 (BANGKOK) A powerful explosion rocked an ice manufacturing factory in the Bang Lamung district of Chonburi province late Wednesday night, leaving 128 people injured and sending a cloud of ammonia gas over a kilometer into the surrounding area. The deafening blast, which witnesses described as a thunderous roar, triggered immediate emergency response efforts as thick smoke billowed from the factory premises.
According to local officials who provided an early morning update on Thursday, the explosion released a highly irritating ammonia gas, a common refrigerant widely used in industrial settings, into the air. The toxic cloud spread rapidly, prompting disaster prevention teams to swiftly evacuate employees and residents within a two-kilometer radius of the factory in Nong Prue subdistrict.
Weekit Manarojkit, the district chief of Bang Lamung, confirmed that emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the scene to usher those in the affected area to safety. “A perimeter of about 2 km around the factory has been set to keep unauthorized personnel out, while those injured in the blast as well as those affected by chemical inhalation were rushed to nearby hospitals,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the explosion, describing a deafening boom that echoed through the night before thick smoke began to emerge from the factory premises. The shockwaves reverberated across the surrounding communities, leaving residents in a state of panic and confusion.
Officials reported that those who inhaled the ammonia gas suffered from severe eye and nose irritation, with some even losing consciousness due to the potent fumes. While the situation was brought under control around 4 am, the impact of the blast has left a lasting mark, with 128 injuries recorded thus far.
Weekit Manarojkit assured the public that district administration staff will continue to patrol the area on Thursday, providing assistance and support to the affected communities as they recover from the ordeal. “Our top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of the residents, and we will remain vigilant in monitoring the situation,” he stated.
As the investigation into the cause of the explosion continues, concerns have been raised about the potential environmental impact of the ammonia gas release. Authorities are working closely with experts to assess the extent of the contamination and implement measures to mitigate any long-term effects on the surrounding ecosystems.
