BANGKOK, Jan 17 (dpa): One person was confirmed dead and eight people have been reported missing after an oil tanker exploded in central Thailand on Tuesday.
The accident happened during maintenance work while the ship was docked in the province of Samut Songkhram, the fire brigade said on Twitter.
The explosion occurred at around 9.15am local time when the tanker docked at a shipyard on the Mae Klong River in Muang district exploded and caused a fire, according to the Thai national daily Matichon.
It was also reproted that houses near the explosion area were damaged.
The Mae Klong river flows into the Gulf of Thailand at this point.
One worker was dead and eight port workers were missing, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported, citing the authorities.
Photos and videos on the internet showed dense columns of smoke rising from the tanker. According to media reports, the Smooth Sea 22 was not carrying crude oil.
The explosion could be heard from kilometres away, shattering windows. The fire was brought under control about an hour later. - dpa
