A gun on a US ally's warship misfired while the crew was clearing stuck shells and struck a frigate
Lily Daniels
- The malfunction of a Thai warship's deck gun led to an accidental firing.
- The HTMS Chonburi's misfiring injured 14 crew members on a nearby frigate.
- The incident occurred at a naval base where the HTMS Chonburi was docked for artillery repairs.
The HTMS Chonburi, a Royal Thai Navy patrol ship, accidentally fired upon another Thai warship injuring 14 of its crew members on the morning of March 14. Days later, Thai media reported the ship's captain had been fired.
The HTMS Chonburi was docked at the Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand's Chon Buri province when its gun malfunctioned and fired a shell, which struck the rear of the frigate HTMS Khirirat and caused a fire onboard, reported the Bangkok Post.
Firefighters were immediately called to the scene to subdue the HTMS Khirirat's fire.
The HTMS Chonburi had returned to the naval base for sensitive gun repairs after crew members were unable to remove more than two 76mm shells from the deck gun's loading system during a drill on March 13, the day before the accident. It was while trying to clear the jammed rounds that the 76mm gun fired.
The HTMS' Chonburi's cannon safety system is over 40 years old.
Following the accident, the HTMS Chonburi's commander, Lt. Commander Theeranai Laosing, was removed and transferred to an "inactive position," reported The Nation Thailand.
Thailand's Navy is looking into pursuing an investigation of Laosing and his involvement in the incident, according to Royal Thai Navy Patrol Squadron commander Chalermchai Suankaew on Wednesday.
Docked in front of the HTMS' Chonburi at the time of the misfiring, the HTMS Khirirat has operated for 50 years as a patrol warship built by the US-based manufacturer Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation. It's unclear why the attempt to clear the misfire went so wrong, but basic safety practices seem not to have been followed, such as ensuring the ship's gun turret wasn't trained on another vessel.
The Royal Thai Navy said on Tuesday that five of the 14 injured HTMS Khirirat crew members were seriously injured due to smoke inhalation after an investigation.
Those with minor injuries were discharged and crew members with serious injuries were placed in a special care facility. Royal Thai Fleet Commander in Chief Adm. Chatchai Thongsaard said the Navy will provide compensation to all those who were injured.