Khon kaen: A cautionary tale unfolded in Khon Kaen when a 10-year-old child, along with friends and a sibling, modified and ignited a firecracker, resulting in an explosion that injured four people. The incident has raised concerns about the accessibility of firecrackers to children and the need for increased safety measures.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident involved Nong Khem, a 10-year-old boy, who invited his younger brother Kaitun, 7, his friend Knot, 10, and his cousin Shell, 9, to play near a temple wall close to their home. The children had gathered firecrackers that failed to explode, modified them, and ignited one, leading to a loud explosion that drew the attention of nearby villagers.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with Nong Khem seriously injured, unconscious, and covered in blood. His companions were similarly affected, with blood staining their bodies. Nong Khem’s condition was particularly severe, necessitating his transfer from a local hospital to Khon Kaen Hospital for urgent surgery to remove firecracker fragments from his brain. He remains under close observation in the ICU.
The explosion caused significant injuries to the other children involved. Nong Knot’s eye was ruptured and his ear torn from the blast, while Nong Shell suffered from swelling and injuries across her body. Kaitun, though injured, was not as severely affected as the others.
In the aftermath, Khem’s uncle urged local shopkeepers to refrain from selling firecrackers to children, highlighting the dangers they pose when mishandled. Despite previous warnings, Khem had continued to play with firecrackers, leading to this unfortunate incident. The family and community are now dealing with the consequences of this preventable tragedy.