26-10-2024 (BANGKOK) A catastrophic explosion at a metal processing facility in eastern Thailand has claimed two lives and left several others injured, prompting immediate suspension of operations and launching a comprehensive safety investigation.
The incident occurred at Xiao Xiang Non-ferrous Metal Co Ltd, situated within the Bor Thong Industrial Estate, when a storage tank exploded following what investigators describe as a critical oversight in chemical handling procedures. Initial findings suggest that a worker exceeded the prescribed chemical fill limits, triggering a volatile reaction that led to the devastating blast.
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has taken swift action, implementing an immediate partial shutdown of the facility, which had only recently commenced operations in February this year. Acting IEAT Governor Sumet Tangprasert announced that rigorous safety protocols would be implemented across the industrial estate to prevent similar incidents.
“We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness,” Tangprasert stated. “Our primary focus is on ensuring the safety of workers and preventing any recurrence of such tragic events.”
The facility, operating under licence number 2-61-0-301-00065-2567, is now under intense scrutiny. IEAT officials have been deployed to the site to monitor the situation and coordinate emergency response efforts. The authority has launched a three-pronged investigation focusing on accident causation, damage assessment, and potential environmental impact.
Questions are being raised about the rapid timeline between the company’s licence application on January 30 and its operational commencement just three days later. Industry experts suggest this could prompt a review of industrial licensing procedures across Thailand’s manufacturing sector.
Local environmental groups have expressed concern about possible contamination in the surrounding area, though officials maintain that the situation is contained. IEAT representatives have confirmed that a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is underway.
