Four firefighters involved in a school fire drill that killed a student sought atonement this morning by briefly ordaining as monks at the boy’s funeral.
The four men from the Sam Sen fire station traveled to Bangkok’s Wat Sunthorn Thammathan to make merit at the cremation of 18-year-old Benz Premmanee, who was killed by an exploding fire extinguisher Friday.
The temple’s abbot and local district officials acted as the presiding monks. Two of Benz’ classmates also took part in the ceremony.
Head firefighter Somjane Chutong said that the ceremony reflected the heartfelt desire of the team responsible for conducting the student training when the explosion happened, killing Benz and injuring at least 11 others. He said they have apologized to the families of the deceased and injured students.
The fire officials expressed sorrow and regret for what happened Friday morning at the Rajavinit Mathayom School in Bangkok’s Dusit district.
Three firefighters have been charged with negligence after one of their refillable canisters of compressed carbon dioxide exploded as the students were under their supervision. The firefighters had set a demonstration fire near the canisters on a hot day when such devices are prone to explode when exposed to extreme heat.
“Nobody wanted such an event to happen. We apologize to the family of Nong Benz, we apologize to all the students, we apologize to the teachers, and we apologize to society for this unfortunate incident,” the firefighters told reporters in a statement.
Ordaining as a monk is a common way to express contrition and avoid genuine accountability.
The education ministry said it would arrange counseling for those affected by the explosion just blocks its headquarters.
Education Sec-Gen Atapol Sangkawasai presented a whopping THB30,000 (US$850) to Benz’s parents of the loss of their son.
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