Bangkok, July 31 (EFE).- The authorities of southern Thailand’s Narathiwat province have seized about one ton of fireworks from shops located less than 150 meters away from a warehouse, where an explosion over the weekend killed at least 12 people and left 121 injured.

A handout photo made available by Pasemas rescue group shows Thai firefighters extinguishing a fire after an explosion at a firework warehouse in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, 29 July 2023. EFE-EPA/PASEMAS RESCUE GROUP HANDOUT HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

The police and the army seized the fireworks from four houses belonging to the owner of the warehouse, where illegally stored fireworks caused a huge explosion on Saturday at a market in Muno village, located near Thailand’s border with Malaysia, public broadcaster Thai PBS World reported Monday.

The authorities found the fireworks in 133 cardboard boxes and 20 sugar sacks.

The authorities are trying to restore order and power to the area, seriously damaged by the explosion, which destroyed the market and caused damage to more than 300 homes, some of which were burned and the roofs of others ripped off due to the impact of the blast.

Ten victims have been identified while ten of the 121 injured have been admitted to a local hospital, one of whom is serious.

Narathiwat province, where the incident occurred, is under martial law due to clashes between the authorities and the Muslim insurgency. EFE

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