15-3-2024 (BANGKOK) The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) ship HTMS Chon Buri accidentally fired its weapon, striking another naval vessel, HTMS Khirirat, and causing injuries to 14 sailors onboard HTMS Khirirat.
The mishap occurred at Laem Thian Pier within the Sattahip Naval Base in Chon Buri province. HTMS Chon Buri had just concluded training on March 13 when the incident transpired. Despite completing most exercises unscathed, a malfunction in its main gun resulted in a 76mm round getting stuck in the barrel.
On March 14, as RTN technicians were attempting to extract the lodged bullet, the gun discharged unintentionally, hitting the nearby docked naval ship, HTMS Khirirat, at close range. The impact caused an explosion and subsequent fire, injuring 14 sailors on the deck of HTMS Khirirat. RTN authorities swiftly managed to contain the fire and transported the injured personnel to Somdech Phra Nangchao Sirikit Hospital.
RTN spokesperson Weerudom Muangjeen confirmed that HTMS Khirirat sustained minor damage to its rear but emphasized the vessel’s continued operational capability. Channel 3 reported that eight sailors were discharged from the hospital, while the remaining injured personnel are still receiving treatment. RTN Commander Adung Phan-iam reassured that the condition of the six officers was not severe, mostly suffering from smoke inhalation, and are expected to recuperate soon.
Adung announced that an investigation into the accident’s cause has been initiated, with a report expected within three days. He refrained from discussing the incident’s specifics at present to prevent complications, urging the media to await the comprehensive investigation findings.
According to MGR Online, the accident may have resulted from a failure to adhere to training and safety protocols. HTMS Chon Buri was supposed to dock at the Naval Ordnance’s pier for inspection and rectification of malfunctions post-training, as it was isolated and devoid of other ships. However, the vessel bypassed these safety procedures and returned directly to its primary dock, Laem Thian Pier, after training.
คลิปที่ส่งต่อกันไม่ทราบเจ้าของ เป็นภาพ #เรือหลวงคีรีรัฐ กำลังไฟไหม้หลังถูกปืน 76/62 ของเรือหลวงชลบุรีลั่นใส่ มีผู้บาดเจ็บ 3 คน pic.twitter.com/tsjoNyh8Bd
— thaiarmedforce (@ThaiArmedForce) March 14, 2024
Media reports suggested that during repair operations, the gun barrel should have been positioned at an angle exceeding 45 degrees from the horizontal to prevent accidental discharges towards nearby ships. It is speculated that in this instance, the barrel may have been left at a horizontal angle, leading to the shot being discharged towards HTMS Khirirat.
อีกคลิปหนึ่งของ #เรือหลวงคีรีรัฐ ที่กำลังไฟไหม้ที่ท้ายเรือ จะเห็น #เรือหลวงชลบุรี จอดอยู่ข้างหลัง ซึ่งตามข่าวคือกระสุนด้านจากการซ้อมรบ แต่ก็ไม่เข้าใจเหมือนกันว่าทำไมถึงหันกระบอกปืนไปหาลำอื่นทั้งที่กระสุนยังคาอยู่ลำกล้องและเราก็ไม่รู้ว่ามันจะลั่นเมื่อไหร่ ซึ่งก็ลั่นจริง ๆ pic.twitter.com/ihR4Mk79r6
— thaiarmedforce (@ThaiArmedForce) March 14, 2024
