12-Year-Old Boy Killed in Rocket Accident

A 12-year-old boy was killed this morning when a homemade rocket accidentally exploded in Ubon Ratchathanee province.

The incident took place in Pho Yai district at around 11:30 a.m. Police say the boy, identified as Wuttinan Moonsaeng, was found at the scene with severe wounds to the head.

Naikham Moonsaeng, the boy’s 50-year-old uncle, said Wutthinan was helping him prepare a traditional rocket to be fired in a ceremony to honour the local spirits on 1 May.

The rocket consisted of a plastic pipe filled with saltpetre. Mr. Naikham was pouring the saltpetre and his nephew was placing metal plates at the bottom of the missile to seal its ignition chamber when a small explosion suddenly occurred, sending the metal plate into the boy’s skull, according to Mr. Naikham.

The police say they are investigating the incident to determine whether the death was caused by negligence.

Khoasod

Stay updated with Samui Times by following us on Facebook.