CHIANG RAI - An explosion on a Lao oil tanker docked at Ha Chiang port on the Mekong River triggered a huge fire, resulting in two injuries, police said on Sunday.
Pol Lt Col Thaninwat Hiranchawengsak, superintendent of Chiang Saen Marine Police, said Choke Porn Chai 0120, carrying 46,000 litres of diesel, exploded on Saturday evening. The fire quickly spread to another vessel, which was carrying 42,000 litres of diesel.
Firefighters took more than two hours to put out the blaze.
An oil tanker skipper and his assistant, both from Laos, were injured in the blast. One of them is in a critical condition.
Police are investigating the cause of the explosion.
