Saphan Buri Firework Accident Kills 4 in Thailand

  • 13 years ago
http://www.bangkoktimesonline.com

Officials check the area after a Lunar New Year celebration in central Thailand, Saphan Buri province

A Chinese New Year celebration in Thailand turned into a tragedy as festive fireworks sparked a blaze. Four people died and almost 90 were injured, while more than 100 homes burnt down.

­Authorities believe that flames from a faulty firework set off a pile of unused rockets at the display in the town of Suphan Buri, about 100 kilometers northwest of Bangkok.

Deputy Prime Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa and his brother, former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa attended the New Year celebration.

The four people killed by the explosion and blaze were three organizers and a female spectator, who died of her injuries early Wednesday, according to a local government official.

Authorities set up tents on Tuesday night to house people evacuated from the area.

Thailand has a large ethnic Chinese population, and the advent of the Year of the Dragon has been widely celebrated across the country.

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