One person was killed when an oil tanker exploded this morning, and nine of the ship’s crew were injured. Seven remain missing.
In an update after the massive explosion rocked a dock southwest of Bangkok, the authorities said one person aboard the vessel died in the blast at the Ruammit Dock Yard in Samut Songkhram province. Four of the ship’s crew were taken to a local hospital for treatment, while another five suffered only minor injuries. Rescue teams were searching for seven missing crewmembers.
The huge blast erupted midship, sending large debris raining down, and reportedly injuring two residents living nearby. Firefighters managed to put out the blaze aboard the ship, designated Smoothsea 22, which had been docked for maintenance.
Oil tanker explodes spectacularly at Thai dock, 2 injured (Video)
คลิป ช่วงเรือบรรทุกน้ำมันระเบิด ใกล้วัดปากสมุทร สมุทรสงคราม pic.twitter.com/2YLdgha3Iu
— BU (@aodbu) January 17, 2023
Smaller detonations had been erupting intermittently since the large explosion just after 9am. Someone working on the boat told reporters that about eight crew had gone to fight a fire in the engine compartment prior to the explosion. He said all eight managed to safely exit the ship.
Samut Songkhram Gov. Somnuk Phromkeaw said that although the flames had been put out, firefighters continued to monitor the situation. The provincial office has set up a special operations center helping victims in the vicinity including 30 Thai and 50 foreign sailors.
