Tanker explodes, 1 dead, 4 hurt, others missing

Tanker explodes, 1 dead, 4 hurt, others missing

The tanker Smooth Sea 22 burns at a dockyard on the Mae Klong river in Muang district, Samut Songkhram, on Tuesday morning. (Photo: EasternFireFighters)
The tanker Smooth Sea 22 burns at a dockyard on the Mae Klong river in Muang district, Samut Songkhram, on Tuesday morning. (Photo: EasternFireFighters)

SAMUT SONGKHRAM: One dock worker was confirmed killed and four others injured by an explosion and fire aboard an oil tanker moored for maintenance at a dockyard on the Mae Klong river in Muang district on Tuesday morning.

Seven people were still unaccounted for, provincial governor Somnuk Promkaew said on Tuesday afternoon.

There were unconfirmed news reports a second body had been found burned beyond recognition inside the oil tanker.

It was earlier reported only that eight workers were missing and that houses were damaged after an explosion and fire aboard the tanker Smooth Sea 22 shortly after 9am.

The tanker, which has a capacity of 6,500 deadweight tonnes, was undergoing regular maintenance at Ruammitr Dockyard in tambon Laem Yai. The explosion was heard and felt over a radius of several kilometres. Glass windowpanes in houses were shattered.

Governor Somnuek said the explosion occurred during welding, when about 10 workers were aboard the ship and about 30 others were on the bank of the dockyard.

One worker was confirmed killed. The dead man's right leg was found about 500 metres from the tanker. Four other people were confirmed injured, one a Thai and three from Myanmar. Seven people were still missing, six from Myanmar and one Thai.

The governor said the tanker still had 25,000 litres of fuel oil and 20,000 litres of diesel onboard while moored for maintenance. It was previously reported to have been empty.

The Marine Department said about an hour later that the fire on the vessel had been brought under control and that eight dockyard workers were missing.

The department was investigating the cause of the fire.

Niyom Songkaew, chief of the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, said the provincial labour protection office would question the employer and other people to determine if there was any violation of the Occupational Health Safety Act.

Video by Siridech Siricamhom


Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)

China warned against choosing new Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA, India: The president of the Tibetan government-in-exile has warned China not to interfere in selecting the successor to the Dalai Lama, the current spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

10:52

Hero freed

Paul Rusesabagina, the hero of "Hotel Rwanda" detained after criticising the government, was freed late Friday, the United States said, offering gratitude to Kigali.

10:22

Latin America seen as ideal partner for BCG

Thailand and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) hope to enhance economic outcomes by collaborating in a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy transition, according to Pornpimol Kanchanalak, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

10:18