KHON KAEN -- Three welders were killed by an explosion while repairing a wastewater tank at an ethanol production factory in Non Sila district on Monday morning, police said.
The explosion occurred about 8.30am while the men were repairing the cover of one of the three wastewater tanks inside the compound of Thai Ethanol Power Plc in tambon Non Sila, Pol Lt Col Sarawut Khansuk, chief investigator of Non Sila police station, said.
When police, medical staff from Non Sila Hospital and a rescue foundation team arrived at the factory they found the bodies of two welders on the ground beside the middle tank, which is about 18 metres tall.
Another welder was found dead on top of the tank.
Police sealed of the area and removed the bodies.
Pol Maj Gen Jitjaroon Sriwanich, the provincial police chief, said the three welders were hired by the company to repair the cover of the second wastewater tank.
The explosion occurred while they were welding the tank cover. Sparks from the welding apparently set off an explosion of biogas escaping from the tank, he said.
Forensic police were inspecting the scene.