Early on the morning of April 26, 2024, a significant incident occurred at an ice factory in Ban Sap Charoen, Si Samran Subdistrict, Nam Som District, when an ammonia tank exploded at approximately 6:00 a.m. The explosion resulted in a substantial leak of ammonia, affecting an area with a radius of 200-300 meters surrounding the facility, which is situated adjacent to the Ngua Municipal Fresh Market.
The sudden release of ammonia caused immediate and widespread panic among the local villagers and market vendors, prompting a chaotic evacuation from the vicinity. The pungent gas is known for causing severe irritation to the eyes and respiratory system, which heightened the urgency of the evacuation efforts.
In response to the emergency, Pol. Col. Chakraphat Wijitthaiya, the superintendent of Nam Som Police Station, promptly arrived at the scene. He advised those within a 300-meter radius of the ice plant to evacuate immediately and urged anyone who had been exposed to the ammonia to shower and seek medical attention without delay. Efforts to contain the leak were underway, with factory workers using ice to cool and minimize the escape of ammonia from the compromised tank.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion, with preliminary suspicions pointing to the extreme heat that the area had been experiencing. Prior to the incident, local temperatures in Nam Som District had reached a peak of 44 degrees Celsius, which may have contributed to the pressure build-up and subsequent tank rupture.
The incident drew the immediate attention of local officials, including Pol. Col. Chakraphat Wijitthaiya and his team, who coordinated the emergency response and evacuation procedures. Their swift actions were crucial in preventing further harm to the community members and in initiating the investigation into the exact cause of the explosion.
