Rescue workers treat a victim after the accident at Siam Commercial Bank in Bangkok. (Photo: Reuters) Bangkok (VNA) – At least ten people died and ten others were injured after suffocating chemicals leaked from a fire extinguisher system inside the basement of a major bank in Bangkok, Thailand, officials said on March 14.
The accident occurred at the headquarters of the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) at around 9:30 pm on March 13.
SCB said the tragedy was caused by contractors who had been working to upgrade the building's chemical fire extinguisher system but accidentally set it off. Consequently, fire-retardant chemicals, designed to starve any fire of oxygen, were released.
The bank announced in a statement that it recorded no explosion at the scene.
Eight people died of suffocation in the basement, two more passed away in hospital on March 14. Among the injured, four are in critical condition.
The case is under further investigation.-VNA
