Roi Et rocket crashes into Yasothon school as festival chaos erupts
Rocket pierced classroom floor, lodged deep. Smoke filled air, no injuries
A lively rocket festival turned into a terrifying ordeal after a massive homemade rocket crashed through the roof of a school in the northeastern province of Yasothon, narrowly missing teachers during a lesson.
At around 9am yesterday, June 11, a 6-inch wide, 4-metre long Saen Tho rocket, launched as part of the annual Bun Bang Fai Festival in Roi Et province, came hurtling through the ceiling of Ban Khui Tap Tao School in Khun Ngern subdistrict, Mueang district.
The missile smashed through the classroom floor, lodging over 30 centimetres into the ground. Smoke filled the air, but miraculously, no injuries were reported.
Initial investigations revealed the rogue rocket had been launched from Ban Don Phrachan in Phanom Phrai district, Roi Et, just across the Chi River—only 4 kilometres from the school.
“The rocket landed right in the middle of the classroom while teachers were inside,” a witness said.
Fortunately, students had not yet arrived, sparing the school from what could have been a deadly disaster.
The school has documented the damage and plans to pursue legal action against those responsible.
Fire engines and emergency teams from the Khun Ngern Subdistrict Administrative Organisation have since set up a command post at the school to monitor the area and prevent further accidents.
But the mayhem didn’t stop there.
At the same time, two more rockets of similar size slammed into high-voltage power lines in Ban Don Kaew, Khueang Kham subdistrict. The impact sparked panic and caused an hours-long power outage in the village.
The owner of a nearby home, 63 year old Nonglak, recalled the moment the rocket exploded in front of her house.
“I heard a loud thump and saw smoke everywhere. It hit the power lines, then landed just metres from me.”
Locals say this isn’t the first time rockets have strayed off course during the festival. Every year, stray rockets from launches in Phanom Phrai district end up in Ban Khui Tap Tao and surrounding villages.
Concerned residents are now gathering at the local temple to observe the launches and track rocket trajectories for their safety, reported KhaoSod and One 31.
Despite the festive spirit, the fallout has villagers calling for stricter safety measures and better oversight at future events.
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