Steel Factory Explosion in Rayong Leaves Dozens Injured and Trapped

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

A devastating explosion rocked a steel factory in Rayong province's Ban Khai district on Wednesday morning, leaving dozens injured and many trapped within the plant. The explosion occurred at around 10:30 AM at Xin Ke Yuan Steel Co., Ltd., with emergency crews swiftly arriving to tackle the growing fire and begin rescue efforts.

 

Initial reports from the Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office indicate that at least ten people have sustained injuries, while more than twenty employees remain unaccounted for in the chaos that ensued post-blast. Firefighters are facing considerable challenges, as the intensity of the fire hampers their ability to enter the most damaged areas safely.

 

 

Efforts are underway to ascertain the explosion’s cause as local authorities collaborate with various agencies to extend necessary support to those affected and their families. The situation is being closely monitored, with the hope that rescue operations will safely retrieve those still trapped. Task forces are committed to bringing the incident under control while ensuring minimum further risk to staff and emergency responders battling the blaze.

 

-- 2024-12-18

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Steel Plant Explosion in Rayong Leaves Seven Injured

 

Picture and video from responders.

 

An explosion at a steel smelting plant in the WHA Industrial Estate, Nong Lalok Subdistrict, Ban Khai District, Rayong Province, has left seven workers injured. The incident occurred due to a gas transportation error, sparking a fire and causing widespread panic as hundreds of employees fled the scene.

 

The explosion, at the Sin Ke Yuan Steel Company, took place at around 13:30, resulted in three blasts at the smelting facility, followed by a massive fire. More than ten fire trucks were deployed to the site, and it took firefighters 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

 

Initial investigations revealed that the explosion occurred during the unloading of gas cylinders from a transport truck using a crane. A malfunction in the lifting machinery caused the cylinders to fall, leak and explode, severely damaging the crane and two gas delivery trucks.

 

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Sarawut Nuchanarot of the Ban Khai Police, seven individuals were injured in the incident:

 

Severely injured were listed as:

 

• Two Chinese workers

• One Thai worker

 

Minor injuries:

 

• Two Myanmar workers

• One Cambodian worker

• One Thai worker

 

 

This is not the first safety incident at the plant. In March 2024, a crane collapse at the same company led to the deaths of seven workers, raising concerns about the company’s safety protocols.

 

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the explosion to determine the exact cause and ensure accountability.

Picture from after the fire on December 18.

 

-- 2024-12-19