5 Workers Found Dead at Fermented Fish Factory Pit in Phetchabun

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures and video from responders.

 

In an incident in Lom Sak district, Phetchabun province, five workers were found dead in a waste pit at a fermented fish factory in Nong Khwai subdistrict. The incident occurred on December 9. Initial reports indicate that the workers entered the pits to clean them but succumbed to unforeseen circumstances.

 

The victims, all male, were discovered lying at the bottom of the pits. The victims were named as;

 

Mr. Lam, age 69, real name and surname still unknown.  

Mr. Ead, aged 68 years, real name and surname still unknown.

Mr. Jakkrit Senanuch, age 50 years

Hia Wan, real name and surname still unknown.

Mr. Suphakit Chatchiu, age 30 years

 

 

Rescue teams were alerted around 18:00, on December 9. To facilitate recovery efforts, authorities installed fans near the pit’s opening to disperse toxic gases and increase oxygen levels before retrieving the bodies. The remains have been sent for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

 

At 19:30 Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranai Kongmuang, the Phetchabun Provincial Police Commander, provided preliminary details from the scene. He stated that earlier in the day, the factory owner had instructed the workers to clean the pit. It is believed that the first worker fainted, possibly due to toxic gas exposure or lack of oxygen, prompting others to attempt a rescue. Tragically, all five succumbed. When the owner was unable to contact them in the afternoon, they visited the factory and discovered the tragic scene.

 

“The pit is a closed system measuring 2 metres in width, 2 metres in length, and 2 metres in depth. Based on initial observations, toxic gas buildup is suspected as the cause of the deaths. However, this is only a preliminary assumption pending further investigation,” Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranai explained.

 

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the exact circumstances

 

-- 2024-12-10

 

 

[Geoffggi]

What a horrible way to go - one can only imagine what it could have been like R.I.P gentlemen 

[hotchilli]

On 12/10/2024 at 4:48 AM, Georgealbert said:

In an incident in Lom Sak district, Phetchabun province, five workers were found dead in a waste pit at a fermented fish factory in Nong Khwai subdistrict. The incident occurred on December 9. Initial reports indicate that the workers entered the pit to clean it but succumbed to unforeseen circumstances.

I find the fermented fish sauce over-powering myself.

[Watawattana]

Happens too often in too many places round the world. Another basic safety lapse. Entirely avoidable.

[quake]

Safety number 1.

But not at this factory and many, many business in Thailand.

Hope someone, gets jail time over this.

R.I.P. to the workers.

 

 

[thaipo7]

On 12/10/2024 at 6:05 AM, Geoffggi said:

What a horrible way to go - one can only imagine what it could have been like R.I.P gentlemen 

This and drowning in BKK canal.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

There is nothing unforeseen about this, there clearly defined vessel entry safety protocls in place to avoid this type of accident from happening. 

 

properly aerate the space and test the air before entering. 

[PETERTHEEATER]

I'm suprised that 5 men could occupy such a small space already containing several large drums.

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Cause of Death of Five Workers in Fermented Fish Factory in Phetchabun

 

Picture from responders.

 

The workplace incidnt at a fermented fish factory in Lomsak District, Phetchabun Province, that claimed the lives of five workers, was likely due to exposure to dangerously high levels of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranai Kongmuang, commander of the Phetchabun Provincial Police, revealed that blood and organ tests from the deceased workers showed abnormal green coloration, raising strong suspicions of toxic gas poisoning. The blood samples have been sent to the Forensic Institute for laboratory analysis, and authorities are awaiting confirmation of the exact cause of death.

 

The incident occurred in a cesspit within the factory, where the five workers were reportedly exposed to a highly toxic environment. Initial investigations by the Disease Control Department confirmed that gas measurements at the site revealed hydrogen sulfide and ammonia concentrations five times above safe limits, a result of inadequate ventilation in the facility.

 

Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranai noted that while the factory does not meet the criteria for classification as an industrial facility under Thai law, police will continue to investigate all aspects of the case. Experts, along with factory personnel, will be questioned to determine whether proper safety protocols were in place at the time of the incident.

 

Among the deceased was the factory manager, who was also the son-in-law of the factory owner. The investigation will focus on whether negligence contributed to the incident. However, police currently treat the incident as a workplace accident, relying on scientific evidence to determine the precise cause.

 

“This unfortunate event should serve as a wake-up call for businesses to implement strict safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future,” Pol. Maj. Gen. Saranai stated.

 

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities committed to uncovering the circumstances that led to this loss of life.

-- 2024-12-12

 

 

 

[Darksidedude]

Basic H2S situation , sadly no training to alert workers regarding confined spaces 

[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Experts, along with factory personnel, will be questioned to determine whether proper safety protocols were in place at the time of the incident.

The obvious answer to the above statement is NO! - Reform procedures need to be put in place.

[Ben Zioner]

24 minutes ago, Darksidedude said:

Basic H2S situation , sadly no training to alert workers regarding confined spaces 

H2S would be easy to detect wouldn't.  Unless they sleep in a dormitory...

[sammieuk1]

Of course manslaughter charges massive compo and jailings will follow ..wont they? RIP 🤔

[Darksidedude]

On 12/12/2024 at 3:08 AM, Ben Zioner said:

H2S would be easy to detect wouldn't.  Unless they sleep in a dormitory...

H2S if you smell it you know its there however this is very low concentration, if you dont smell and its there you are dead in an instant, anyone that goes into assit will also die happens a lot around the world, only way to detect it is with a H2S monitor that clips on your  shirt