Two Italian-Thai geologists killed in Chiang Mai
Two geologists working with an Italian-Thai company were killed Thursday when a large rock loosened by an earlier explosion in an under-construction tunnel fell on them in Chiang Mai province.
Bodies of the victims; Prathomporn Siriwat and Pratchawat Wasu-anan, both 24 and of Chiang Mai, were sent to Mae Tang Hospital in Mae Tang district.
Wongpan Wongsamut, a chief engineer of the provincial irrigation office said that the accident took place after there was an explosion at a side tunnel, which is under construction as part of the Mae Ngad-Mae Kuang Water-Diverting Tunnel. He said that both geologists were sent into the tunnel to examine the layers of the stones when the loosened rock fell on them at about 7am. “We are investigating the cause of the accident,” Wongpan said.
The scene in Tambon Mae Horphra, now sealed pending probe, was part of a 23-kilometre tunnel project costing Bt11.5 billion totally, which is slated to be completed by 2021.
