Two firework factories exploded in China and Thailand

Risky business...
First there was this one:

Xinhuanet: Factory explosion kills 14 people in Thailand

2004-10-03 21:08:52

BANGKOK, Oct. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- About 14 people were killed and two others were injured Sunday in an explosion at a fireworks factory in Thailand's central Ayuthaya province, said a local official.

The blast occurred at around 3:00 p.m. when some 20 workers were at the factory in Ayuthaya, which is about 75 kilometers north of Bangkok.

The 200 square-meter workshop of the factory was completely destroyed during the explosion. The blast also damaged some nearby buildings.

The factory had been operating illegally, said local police, adding its business has been ordered to shut down after an earlierexplosion last year.

Police are looking into the cause of the explosion."



Then this:

Xinhuanet: Firecracker factory blast in Guangxi kills 24

2004-10-05 11:56:15

"BEIJING, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- At least 24 people have died in a blast at a firecracker factory in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The explosion occurred at a factory in a township in Qinzhou City Monday afternoon, China Radio International reported Tuesday.

Twenty-eight people were also injured in the blast.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the explosion."

Update on the China blast.
27 died...

"A blast at a fireworks factory in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Monday killed 27 people and wounded a further 59.

The deaths at the factory were not the only tragedies during the National Day holidays. Two other incidents in Guangxi and North China's Shanxi Province during the week-long National Day holidays resulted in four deaths.

The blast at the fireworks factory in Pubei County, Qinzhou, may have been caused by a blast inside a workshop, the initial investigation found.

Xinhua News Agency said three major shops at the factory were destroyed by the blast while the roofs of four surrounding rooms were also blown off."

Fireworks plant blast kills 27 in Guangxi
Click link above for full article from CHINAdaily...

...And update on the Thailand blast:

"The accident killed 11 people, critically injured one, and left six others missing. It also damaged 10 nearby houses.


Ayutthaya Police Chief Col Atthaphol Dedduang said Somboon, as the registered factory owner, could face charges of recklessness causing death.

Police have yet to locate Somboon. It remains unclear whether he was at the factory when it blew up."

FACTORY EXPLOSIONS: Senior official punished for negligence
Click link above for full article from Bangkok's Independent Newspaper...



Other fireworksrelated explosions in Tailand (from same page as above) :

Explosive situation: Fireworksrelated explosions since 2000


"March 27, 2004

StaffSergeant Sunthorn Thaneeniam, 47, is seriously injured while allegedly producing fireworks at a twostorey shophouse in Udon Thani. The explosion also damages the building�s glass front door and items contained within.


April 22, 2003

An explosion at a fireworks factory in Chachoengsao kills factory owner Jaru Sritaengon, 43, and critically injures employee Boonyuen Upitak, 31.

Two pickup trucks and two motorcycles in the factory�s car park are completely destroyed. Two neighbouring houses are also damaged.


November 14, 2002

Several employees are seriously injured as staff panic during an explosion in a fireworks factory in Nan. The factory is just a stone�s throw away from an Army arsenal.


November 14, 2002

An explosion erupts at another fireworks factory in Nan, injuring five people and damaging a pickup truck and a motorcycle.


October 10, 2002

A 52yearold man is killed and his wife and daughter injured when his home explodes in Bang Na. The family produced fireworks at their house and moved the explosive items near an oven following a flood.

The blast also damages more than 10 houses in the community.


May 15, 2001

An explosion rocks a fireworks factory in Ratchaburi�s Photharam district.


February 7, 2001

Three people are injured in a house in Ayutthaya�s Bang Ban district after a smoker accidentally lets cigarette ash fall onto fireworks.


December 24, 2000

An explosion at a fireworks factory in Phitsanulok kills one person and injures 50, two of them seriously.


November 8, 2000

An explosion at a fireworks stall in Samut Sakhon�s Mahachai market kills two people and injures 84, 12 seriously. The blast also destroys 20 motorcycles, a car and a pickup truck, and damages a hotel"



Thou shall not play with firecrackers...

[edit on 2004/10/6 by Hellmutt]