A fire extinguisher exploded late this morning during a fire drill at the Rajavinit Mathayom School in Bangkok’s Dusit district, killing one student.
The incident occurred at 11am during an evacuation drill at the school located on Phitsanulok Road, during which a fire extinguisher exploded. As a result, five people present were injured, and one male student has been confirmed to have died, according to reports.
“We express our condolences to the deceased student and the many injured individuals in this incident,” education Sec-Gen Somjai Wisetthaksin said in a statement.
Somjai added that the ministry would provide aid to those affected.
The incident took place when the school invited firefighters to conduct a fire control and evacuation drill. During the second of three rounds, the firefighters demonstrated the use of fire extinguishers and ignited a fire to demonstrate basic suppression techniques. However, one device leaked and caused an explosion. The explosive force propelled a sixth grader onto a school fence over 10 meters away, killing him. The firefighter conducting the lesson was also injured.
Officers were notified of the incident at about 11:15am. Upon arrival, they found the injured lying in front of the school’s flagpole. Students and teachers provided aid.
The deceased boy, nicknamed Benz, had recently started a Facebook page detailing how he manages his finances to save money.
The injured were taken to Vajira Hospital, Mission Hospital Bangkok, Somdech Phra Pinklao Hospital, and BMA General Hospital for treatment.
The authorities have begun to investigate what happened.
This is a developing story and may be updated without notice.
