An alcohol explosion occurred in the middle of a classroom during a science lab session at a school in Yala, injuring seven teachers and students, with three seriously hurt. The severely injured are being prepared for transfer to receive further treatment, while authorities rush to determine the exact cause.
According to reporters, at around 11:30 a.m. on 26 Aug 2023, a frightening accident took place inside a Grade 2 classroom at a school in Yaha District, Yala Province. A science experiment went wrong, causing an alcohol explosion that injured seven people, including teachers and students. Initially, they were taken to Somdejphra Yuparaj Yaha Hospital, with three seriously injured students to be transferred to Yala Central Hospital for further care.
Details of the seven injured include two female teachers and five students (four boys and one girl). Among the students, three were seriously injured and required transfer to Yala Central Hospital: one with burns on the face, neck, and body; a second with injury to the left eye; and a third with injuries to both eyes.
Two students with less severe injuries were kept under observation at Somdejphra Yuparaj Yaha Hospital, while the two teachers suffered minor cuts and abrasions on their legs and the backs of their feet.
A Grade 4 teacher recounted that the incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. as she was using the restroom when she suddenly heard an explosion-like sound and saw chaos. Students had burns and abrasions on their bodies, and some clothes were piled outside the classroom, believed to be caused by the alcohol. At that time, the Grade 2 teacher was conducting a science experiment with students. After the incident, the school principal and staff quickly coordinated ambulance services and helped the injured immediately.
The school arranged for the uninjured students to have lunch before contacting parents to pick up their children in the afternoon for safety and to resolve the situation.
Subsequently, Mr. Weerapat Bundarik, Deputy Governor of Yala Province, along with Dr. Sompong Palachai, Yala Provincial Education Officer, visited and monitored the condition of the injured students at Yala Central Hospital. Mr. Weerapat stated that medical teams were urgently assessing the three seriously injured children, particularly the boy with injuries to both eyes, to prepare for possible transfer to Songklanagarind Hospital (Prince of Songkla University) in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education has prepared an emergency fund to fully support and assist the students affected by this accident and their families. Relevant officials are currently conducting a thorough on-site investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and to develop preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.