9-5-2024 (BANGKOK) A raging inferno that erupted at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Port in Rayong left a wake of destruction, claiming one life and prompting a large-scale evacuation. The harrowing incident unfolded on Thursday morning when a towering 18-meter fuel storage tank, owned by Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal Co, exploded with a deafening roar at approximately 10:40 am.
As thick plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, a desperate battle against the unrelenting blaze ensued. Firefighters toiled tirelessly for six grueling hours, their efforts bolstered by the timely intervention of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). The naval forces deployed a sophisticated drone to aid in controlling the conflagration and dispatched a warship to facilitate the evacuation of residents in the vicinity.
“The Royal Thai Navy swiftly mobilized our resources to assist in containing the blaze and ensuring the safety of the local populace,” stated Rear Admiral Veerudome Muangchean, the RTN spokesperson, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Despite the valiant efforts of the emergency responders, the fire’s fury threatened to spread to an adjacent fuel storage tank, exacerbating the already precarious circumstances. Ultimately, the blaze was extinguished around 4 pm, bringing a hard-won respite to the beleaguered community.
A fire at a chemical storage tank terminal in Thailand’s Rayong province prompted nearby community evacuations due to the risk of spreading, the industry ministry confirmed. The blaze, which claimed one life, affected a tank containing a solvent used in various industries,… pic.twitter.com/6JXfmQakHt
— Volcaholic ???? (@volcaholic1) May 9, 2024
In the aftermath of this catastrophic event, the grim toll revealed one fatality and four individuals sustaining injuries. Approximately 400 residents were promptly evacuated to the Map Ta Phut Phittiyakarn school, as Rayong authorities declared a state of emergency in response to the unfolding crisis.
As a precautionary measure, all hospitals in Rayong have been placed on high alert, ready to receive and treat any potential victims. Authorities have advised locals to remain indoors until the smoke dissipates, minimizing the risk of exposure to potential airborne contaminants.
In a stern response to the incident, Map Ta Phut Tank Terminal has been ordered to suspend operations, marking the second time the facility has been implicated in a blast within a few years. In 2021, a chemical tank explosion at the same terminal claimed the lives of three individuals, casting a pall over the industrial hub.
