Death toll rises to at least 10 in Thailand warehouse explosion

The death toll from a powerful explosion that levelled an unlicensed fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand rose to at least 10, the local governor said, as police sought the owner on charges of negligence.

The death toll from a powerful explosion that levelled an unlicensed fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand rose to at least 10 on Sunday, the local governor said, as police sought the owner on charges of negligence.

The blast Saturday afternoon in the town of Sungai Kolok was believed to have been caused by welding during construction work on the building.

More than 100 people were injured in the blast, which left only twisted metal beams still standing as rescue workers picked over the debris, with local media reporting hundreds of homes were also seriously damaged.

"We have identified 10 people and found parts of two bodies which we cannot identify yet," Narathiwat provincial governor Sanan Pongaksorn told a press conference Sunday.

"We are sending to forensics to do DNA tests but primary reports said they were different (people)," he added.

Sanan had previously said the blast was believed to have been caused by a "technical error" during welding.

Police on Sunday said they were still investigating the cause, adding they believed the facility was not licensed to store fireworks.