Thailand. Explosion at pyrotechnic factory leaves at least 20 dead

PAt least 20 people died following an explosion at a pyrotechnic factory in Thailand, according to the Associated Press.

Relief and rescue operations continue to take place at the site, to determine the exact number of fatalities.

The incident took place on the factory premises located in Suphanburi, in the center of the country.

According to Thai media, the explosion occurred in the afternoon. [no horário local].

BREAKING – Firework factory explosion in Suan Taeng sub-district of Suphan Buri province reportedly kills 23 people. pic.twitter.com/mJwcTTU9wH

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A local governor told Reuters that no survivors had yet been found.

The explosion takes place less than a month before Chinese New Year, which takes place in February, and when requests for pyrotechnics increase considerably.

In Thailand, failure to comply with basic safety rules has led to several deadly tragedies in recent years.

In July last year, a huge explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand killed at least 10 people and injured 100 others, according to local authorities.

The explosion in Narathiwat province occurred in a residential area, damaging about 100 houses within a radius of about 500 meters, according to the Thai Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The provincial governor said the explosion probably occurred due to work taking place at the fireworks warehouse.

[Notícia atualizada às 14h59]