Eight bank workers die after chemical spray released by mistake

Eight workers have been killed in a chemical accident at a major bank in the Thai capital. A chemical agent was mistakenly released during an upgrade of the fire extinguisher system at the Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) in Bangkok on Sunday night, officials said. Seven people were also injured when the suffocating cloud of chemicals was released at the bank’s head office.

From the preliminary investigation by the police, the incident may have been caused by the negligence of contractors who were hired to make additional improvements to the building’s fire security system.

Police Colonel Charoen Srisasalak

The employees turned on a system that released pyrogen aerosol, which is normally intended to deprive fire of oxygen, the bank said. Pyrogen makes a type of aerosol fire extinguisher which is used in places where putting out a fire with water would damage documents or electrical equipment. Police said those killed were seven contractors and a security guard. "They were in the building for maintenance work,“ said Police Colonel Charoen Srisasalak. SCB, Thailand’s oldest commercial bank, expressed "deep regret” for those affected by “this unfortunate incident”.

Bangkok bank