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BANGKOK — Eight people died and seven others were injured when workers accidentally released fire extinguishing chemicals into the basement of one of Thailand's largest banks.
The accident occurred Sunday night during an upgrade of the safety system at Siam Commercial Bank's headquarters in Bangkok, officials said Monday.
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Workers activated a system that mistakenly released Pyrogen aerosol, a chemical fire retardant which is normally intended to deprive fire of oxygen, the statement said.
The bank said in a statement that an initial investigation found that the accident was caused by "negligence on the part of our contractors hired to improve fire protection in the building."
The bank identified those who died as a security guard and seven contractors.
Bangkok's Erawan medical emergency center said five people died at the site of the accident and three died later at a hospital.
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IMAGE: EPA
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IMAGE: EPA
It said that the apparent cause of death was suffocation from insufficient oxygen, but that the official cause would not be known until autopsies are performed.
Seven other people suffered suffocation-related injuries, including four who were in serious condition, Erawan said.
Police were still investigating the accident and the bank said it would release more information after a meeting of its board members Monday.
The accident occurred Sunday night during an upgrade of the safety system at Siam Commercial Bank's headquarters in Bangkok, officials said Monday.
Caution
Graphic Content
Click to reveal
IMAGE: EPA
Workers activated a system that mistakenly released Pyrogen aerosol, a chemical fire retardant which is normally intended to deprive fire of oxygen, the statement said.
The bank said in a statement that an initial investigation found that the accident was caused by "negligence on the part of our contractors hired to improve fire protection in the building."
The bank identified those who died as a security guard and seven contractors.
Bangkok's Erawan medical emergency center said five people died at the site of the accident and three died later at a hospital.
Caution
Graphic Content
Click to reveal
IMAGE: EPA
Caution
Graphic Content
Click to reveal
IMAGE: EPA
It said that the apparent cause of death was suffocation from insufficient oxygen, but that the official cause would not be known until autopsies are performed.
Seven other people suffered suffocation-related injuries, including four who were in serious condition, Erawan said.
Police were still investigating the accident and the bank said it would release more information after a meeting of its board members Monday.
