The death toll from a fire at a factory in the Maptaput
industrial estate has risen to 12, while 24 out of 142 injured people remain
hospitalized, according to the Public Health Ministry on Sunday.
Dr Surawit Khonsomboon, deputy public health minister,
said that the explosion and fire at a unit of Bangkok Synthetics Co (BST), a
petrochemical factory in this industrial estate in the eastern province of
Rayong killed 12 people including nine on-site and three at the hospital
later.
Two bodies remain unidentified while 24 out of 142
injured victims remain hospitalized.
Two patients are in critical condition and the province’s
emergency plan is still in place. Residents in ten communities around the
industrial estate have evacuated to the Pattaya side.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday travelled by
a helicopter to visit the injured and convened a meeting with local
officials to discuss measures mitigating any impact from the explosion and
chemical leakage.
Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti said the factory was
ordered to close and residents were able to return by Sunday.
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT)
Governor Veerapong Chaiperm and Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Director-General of
the Pollution Control Department, met leaders of local communities around
the industrial estate for discussions about the aftermath of the explosion
and possible environmental impacts.
Residents asked officials to step up surveillance and
prevention measures.
According to the officials, air quality inspection found
the level of air pollution is still at normal and safe levels.
Air quality monitoring equipment will be installed at the
site and mobile units will be dispatched to patrol nearby areas. (MCOT)
