Thailand

At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in central Thailand, according to a rescue worker, AFP has reported. The explosion took place on Wednesday about 120 kilometres north of Bangkok in Suphan Buri province. Images from the scene showed black smoke soaring, flames and widespread destruction. It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion. Last year, at least ten people died and over 100 were injured when a fireworks warehouse in southern Narathiwat province exploded. /ritzau/