Chemical Explosion Claims Two Lives in Chiang Mai Lychee Orchard

[webfact]

 

A violent explosion resulted in the tragic demise of two people within a lychee orchard in Mae Wan, Chiang Mai. The incident occurred as workers hurriedly mixed potassium chlorate and urea to serve as a lychee growth agent, leading to a powerful detonation and causing severe injuries to another.

 

The explosion took place at 3:30 PM on November 28, 2023, in the lychee orchard of Ban Chaiyngam, Moo 9, Mae Wan Subdistrict, Phrao District, Chiang Mai, reported Thai Rath.

 

Prompted by the report, relevant authorities swiftly responded to the scene, discovering a single-story damaged structure with smoke lingering. They promptly sprayed water to prevent further ignition.

 

Tragically, the bodies of two deceased individuals, identified as Ms. Daeng (last name unknown), a 33-year-old Myanmar national and laborer, and Miss Natchaya Suntanta, a 34-year-old sibling of the property owner, were found within the affected structure and near a lychee tree.

 

Another injured individual, Mr. Aung, a 34-year-old Myanmar national, suffered burns along his body and was promptly transported to Phrao Hospital.

 

Investigations revealed that the three victims, all orchard workers, were in the process of mixing 3 bags of potassium chlorate (25 kg each) and 1 bag of urea (50 kg) to use as a lychee growth agent.

 

Potassium chlorate, though not highly flammable, can ignite and cause explosions when exposed to high temperatures. This incident draws parallels to a major potassium chlorate explosion in 2542 in San Pa Tong District, Chiang Mai, which claimed numerous lives.

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

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[webfact]

Two dead, one injured in an explosion at longan orchard in Chiang Mai
 

 

Two women were killed and a man was seriously injured on Tuesday when potassium chlorate, being stored in a house at a longan orchard in Mae Waen sub-district of Chiang Mai province, exploded.

 

Warut Visitsilp, the district chief officer of Phrao district, who inspected the scene of explosion, said that the potassium chlorate was used to force the flowering of the longan trees in the orchard.

 

He added that forensic investigators will inspect the house again today, to trace the cause of the explosion and to determine whether the potassium chlorate, which is also used in the manufacture of some ammunition and pyrotechnics, was being stored properly.

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2023-11-29

 

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[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

He added that forensic investigators will inspect the house again today, to trace the cause of the explosion and to determine whether the potassium chlorate, which is also used in the manufacture of some ammunition and pyrotechnics, was being stored properly

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble. Cool it with a baboon's blood, Then the charm is firm and good