Eight people were killed and seven hospitalized in an accident during improvements to the fire prevention system at SCB headquarters on Ratchadaphisek last night.
The death toll rose to 8 people this morning after workers accidentally activated the pyrogen-based fire extinguishing system in the basement of SCB Park Plaza building, forcing workers to inhale toxic gas.
Five people, three men and two women, reportedly died at the scene. Firemen and volunteers rescued about 20 people who were stuck inside the building, reported Thairath.
According to the bank’s statement, the accident was blamed on the “negligence of the contractor hired to improve the building’s fire prevention.”
SCB insisted there was “no fire or explosion.” Its headquarters opened as usual this morning after the building and property inside escaped damage.
Acting Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Sanit Mahathaworn said authorities will prosecute the contractor for their negligence which led to deaths of others. Forensic officers will inspect the scene this morning, Thai PBS reported.
Editor’s Note: This article originally reported ten people died from the accident at SCB headquarters. The death toll was revised downwards from 10 by Bangkok’s Erawan Emergency Center on March 14.
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