Fireworks warehouse explosion in the Philippines, 43 casualties

The explosion on the afternoon of June 29 in Zamboanga City created a large hole in the ground, sending debris flying to nearby buildings and starting a fire, according to fire investigator Luigi Chan.

The aftermath of an explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Zamboanga City, Philippines on June 29. Photo: Facebook/John Dalip

Chan said four warehouse workers and the four-year-old son of one worker were killed. The city disaster office confirmed the death toll and said 38 others were injured in the incident, eight of them seriously.

The explosion created a 20-meter-deep crater, destroying the warehouse walls, sending rubble down onto a nearby beverage factory, a grain and flour warehouse and houses in the area.

Authorities said they were investigating the cause of the explosion. "The most likely cause of the fire was fireworks stored in the warehouse," Chan said.

He said the blast radius covered more than 3,000 square meters and it took firefighters more than two hours to control the blaze.

Ngoc Anh (according to AFP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/no-kho-phao-o-philippines-43-nguoi-thuong-vong-post301817.html