Explosion strikes annual rocket festival in Roi Et: 30 injured

[george]

 

On June 16, 2024, a tragic incident marred the annual Rocket Festival at Ban Sang Bu Temple in Roi Et Province. The normally joyous event, which attracts numerous locals and visitors to Phon Sai Sawang Subdistrict, Phon Thong District, ended in disaster when a rocket explosion caused significant injuries among the attendees.

 

The explosion occurred at precisely 5:00 p.m. during the highly anticipated festival. This year, participants eagerly gathered to witness the launch of 370,000 rockets—a tradition aimed at celebrating local culture and bringing luck to the community.

 

However, as the event proceeded, catastrophe struck. One of the rockets malfunctioned as it was being launched, resulting in a powerful explosion at the rocket launcher base.

 

The impact of the explosion was immediate and widespread, causing injuries to approximately 30 people who were watching the event. The crowd, which had gathered to enjoy the festivities, was thrown into panic as the explosion occurred, leaving many individuals with various injuries that required prompt medical attention.

The nature of the injuries ranged from facial wounds to head trauma and limb injuries. Some individuals were seen with bleeding head wounds, while others sustained severe injuries to their arms and legs. The scene quickly turned chaotic as people sought to help the injured and call for emergency services.

 

Rescue teams were mobilized without delay. Local emergency responders and volunteers acted swiftly to provide first aid and transport the injured to Phon Thong District Hospital. The hospital staff, already expecting an influx of patients due to the large crowd at the festival, was prepared to handle the emergency.

 

Upon arrival at the hospital, the injured individuals were promptly evaluated by medical professionals. Initial treatments were administered to stabilize those with critical injuries, while others were given appropriate care based on the severity of their wounds. The hospital reported that they were still in the process of assessing and summarizing the condition of the patients to determine the next steps in their treatment.

 

The Rocket Festival, a time-honored tradition in Roi Et Province, is typically a vibrant celebration filled with excitement and joy. However, the unfortunate accident during this year’s event cast a shadow over the community, highlighting the potential dangers associated with large-scale public gatherings involving fireworks and rockets.

 

Authorities have begun an investigation into the cause of the malfunction to prevent such incidents in the future. The local government, along with festival organizers, expressed their deep sympathies to those affected by the incident and pledged to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of participants in future events.

In the aftermath of the explosion, the community of Phon Sai Sawang Subdistrict rallied together, offering support to the injured and their families.

 

-- 2024-06-16

 

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[stoner]

 

[george]

Video:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/5m1nrykfvLae3CZa/

 

[lordgrinz]

Knowing how little Thai's care for safety, I wouldn't be within a mile of them firing these things off.

[smedly]

how tragic and how ## stupid, somchai is a balistics expert - OMG the stupidly is shocking

[Georgealbert]

Video of the incident from Thai news.

 

 

[Ralf001]

Thats a solid whoopsie !

[spidermike007]

Hope none of the injuries were serious. The safety standards here are seriously lacking and enforcement of any standards is very, very third world. 

[Mason45]

I suppose the guys who were in charge of the rocket launching were nicely pissed on Lao Khao many hours before the launching.

Edited June 16 by Mason45
typo

[hotchilli]

Thais and explosives, what could possibly go wrong

[steven100]

9 hours ago, george said:

bringing luck to the community.

well that didn't work  

[steven100]

27 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

I suppose the guys who were in charge of the rocket launching were nicely pissed on Lao Khao many hours before the launching.

of coarse ....   that's all part of the tradition ..  drink as much Lao Khao as you possibly can. 

[Mason45]

I went to a festival like this many years ago in Yasothon. A violent brawl broke a few hours before the rockets were supposed to be launched so the launching was called off. I've been around a lot more than most guys and I can tell you the carnage from the brawl was worse than the damage that rockets can do. There were bloodied bodies every where, one was obviously deceased. Again where were the dozen or so BIB's, in the whiskey tent of course. The officials called off the event, not the cops who probably didn't give a rats ass.

[steven100]

6 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

I went to a festival like this many years ago in Yasothon. A violent brawl broke a few hours before the rockets were supposed to be launched so the launching was called off. I've been around a lot more than most guys and I can tell you the carnage from the brawl was worse than the damage that rockets can do. There were bloodied bodies every where, one was obviously deceased. Again where were the dozen or so BIB's, in the whiskey tent of course. The officials called off the event, not the cops who probably didn't give a rats ass.

If I remember correctly,  wasn't there an accident last year at this same event with a rocket malfunction or similar ....  I remember reading this some time ago ..

[tandor]

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

Thats a solid whoopsie !

i thought we were in NK for a sec!

[nobodysfriend]

9 hours ago, george said:

participants eagerly gathered to witness the launch of 370,000 rockets

 

370.000 rockets ...???

If you play with fire , don't be surprised when you get burned ...

 

[Andycoops]

I could see some of the large rockets launching from my Sunday afternoon beer haunt several kilometres away.

I wish all the injured a speedy recovery.

[RichardColeman]

10 hours ago, george said:

This year, participants eagerly gathered to witness the launch of 370,000 rockets

Anyone know how much carbon that puts in the atmosphere that will need to be offset by the green parties ? 

[F Groenen]

We were at this event 2 years ago, watched 4 rockets go up, but left when some idiots started shooting at eachother.
Traffic was a mess and unless things changed this year, a response without delay would have been impossible.
Safety is last on the list and we kept our distance from the rocket firing area.

[Bangkok Barry]

 

I'm amazed there are not more accidents like this. Many locals simply don't have the know-how to run something as dangerous as a rocket festival, It needs discipline and an awareness of danger and adherence to safety standards something that is so often lacking in Thailand.

[thailand49]

Notice event promoters will do everything to make sure future event safe but no mention about caring ot taking care of the injure expenses.

[champers]

9 hours ago, george said:

Video:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/5m1nrykfvLae3CZa/

 

First aid Thai stylee.

[ftpjtm]

42 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

Again where were the dozen or so BIB's, in the whiskey tent of course

 

At the wife's annual rocket festival the BIB aren't only interested in the whiskey tent. They're also very interested in the betting on which rocket will go farthest. 

[Cereal]

The only thing that surprised me in the article was the part about the hospital being prepared for the possibility of an emergency because of the festivities. Proactively engaged! Now that, is surprising.

[pest]

Been to a couple of these events

Well worth the visit and yes copious amounts of loh kow was consumed from 6 am till 6 pm 

All in all for the amount of rockets launched all over Isan your safer there than trying to cross Sukhumvit soi4 hsha 

[cncltd1973]

I know a guy from Java who lost all his fingers on this right hand because he was carrying a firework with the same hand as his cigarette. he was a local hired for the day to move fireworks for an event. live and learn

[soalbundy]

Boys and their toys

[Ralf001]

35 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Anyone know how much carbon that puts in the atmosphere that will need to be offset by the green parties ? 

 

The burning EV's will offset it !

[rabas]

 

Are the Thai still kind and let the foreigners stand in front for a better view?

 

I've always heard this was the reason...

 

[edwinchester]

I'm sure the organisers public liability insurance will ensure the best medical care for all those injured during their event.