Another Tanker Exploded In Bangkok

An oil tanker exploded and caught fire on Sunday at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Phra Samut Chedi district.

Incident

Another tanker exploded in the Thai capital with the loss of one life. The Ampar 8, a product tanker, set on fire yesterday afternoon while mooring at the Bangchak depot on the Chao Praya river. Note that the ship arrived from Koh Si Chang anchorage, carrying 3,000 tons of oil when the accident happened. Equasis lists Bangkok-based Ayudhya Development as the owner of the 3,500DWT ship.

Thus, a huge fire and billowing smoke followed the explosion at the forecastle of the ship.

Unfortunately, a seafarer died and another three crew reported as injured. On the bright side, fourteen others were successfully rescued.

The ship drifted downstream on fire for around 5 km before it was able to anchor. Firefighters were able to put the blaze out after an hour. Firefighting boats from the navy and the disaster prevention and mitigation office of Samut Prakan dispatched to the scene to put out the fire. It took an hour to extinguish the blaze, using chemical foam and water. Moreover, several other vessels have been put on standby with booms, in the event of a crude oil leak into the river.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Transport Minister, Atirat Ratanasate, has ordered the Marine Department to form an investigating committee and to prevent the vessel from being used until a probe into the accident has been concluded. Police announced that sparks erupted in the anchor windlass room prior to the explosion.

20 days ago

Another product tanker, the Smooth Sea 2, exploded in a similar area on March 9. One man died and three were seriously injured when the product tanker set on fire as it readied to depart a terminal.