Death toll from fireworks explosion in Thailand jumps to 12

ANKARA

The death toll from an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand rose to 12 as rescuers found the remains of two unidentified bodies, local media reported on Sunday.

The explosion in Sungai Kolok, a district in Narathiwat province near the Malaysian border, injured at least 121 people, of whom 111 have been discharged from the hospital, the local English daily Bangkok Post reported, citing government officials.

Narathiwat's Governor Sanan Pong-aksorn, who visited the site on Sunday, told reporters that authorities had so far recovered 10 bodies and parts of another two unidentified victims.

A preliminary investigation suggested that the blast was caused by sparks from welding work taking place to make shelves at the warehouse.

The governor said the warehouse was being used to store fireworks without government permission.