A police investigation has concluded the Santika pub fire was sparked by a firework that ignited a flammable ceiling.
A firework was lit as part of stage effects shortly after the turn of the 2009 new year.
The fire spread so quickly that within about two minutes the crowded pub was completely in flames, Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy chief Likit Klinauan yesterday said after a high-level police meeting to conclude the cause of the inferno.
Pol Maj Gen Likit cited the explana-tion of an expert from the Royal Thai Army Chemical Department on how a firework works before a final conclusion was made.
Witnesses at the pub said they saw Sarawut Ariya, lead singer of the band Burn, holding a firework on the stage before the fire erupted.
"We will meet the team investigating the disaster again before forwarding our findings to the court by the end of the month," Pol Maj Gen Likit said.
The tragedy left 66 people dead and scores of other revellers injured.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Famed "Shin-chan" cartoonist dies in fall
Tributes poured in yesterday for Japanese cartoonist Yoshito Usui after confirmation the bruised body of a man found on a mountain was that of the creator of the popular Crayon Shin-chan series.
Usui, 51, who was popular worldwide among manga enthusiasts, disappeared on Sept 11 after he went hiking on his own on a mountain range straddling Gunma and Nagano prefectures, north of Tokyo.
A body was found on Saturday by a fellow hiker and his family late Sunday confirmed it was Usui,a recluse who was married with two daughters.
The indications are he fell and there was no suggestion of suicide, police
and reports said.
His death dampened celebration yesterday on the Respect for the Aged holiday in Kas-
kabe, a suburban city
outside Tokyo which has become wellknown nationally as the place where the ca-
toonist lived and set
the Crayon Shin-chan story.
"I'm deeply depressed to hear the
unfortunate news. I pray his soul rests in peace with citizens here," Kasukabe mayor Ryozo Ishikawa said by telephone.
"I saw many sorrowful citizens today as 'Shin-chan' is definitely a Kasukabe kid. We hope 'Shin-chan', a byword for cheerfulness, will keep staying here with his family," he said.
Usui made his debut as a manga author in 1987 and sprang to prominence in the 1990s with Crayon Shin-chan ,which features the daily life of Shinnosuke, a mischievous five-year-old boy.
The series ran regularly in a magazine and later was made into a book and animation version.
"We had been praying for Mr Usui's safety with his family but now feel the utmost regret over how things have turned out. We are in a big shock,"Futabasha, the publishing house of Crayon Shin-chan , said in a statement.His books have been translated in 14 countries and the animated version has been aired in 30 countries.
Usui, 51, who was popular worldwide among manga enthusiasts, disappeared on Sept 11 after he went hiking on his own on a mountain range straddling Gunma and Nagano prefectures, north of Tokyo.
A body was found on Saturday by a fellow hiker and his family late Sunday confirmed it was Usui,a recluse who was married with two daughters.
The indications are he fell and there was no suggestion of suicide, police
and reports said.
His death dampened celebration yesterday on the Respect for the Aged holiday in Kas-
kabe, a suburban city
outside Tokyo which has become wellknown nationally as the place where the ca-
toonist lived and set
the Crayon Shin-chan story.
"I'm deeply depressed to hear the
unfortunate news. I pray his soul rests in peace with citizens here," Kasukabe mayor Ryozo Ishikawa said by telephone.
"I saw many sorrowful citizens today as 'Shin-chan' is definitely a Kasukabe kid. We hope 'Shin-chan', a byword for cheerfulness, will keep staying here with his family," he said.
Usui made his debut as a manga author in 1987 and sprang to prominence in the 1990s with Crayon Shin-chan ,which features the daily life of Shinnosuke, a mischievous five-year-old boy.
The series ran regularly in a magazine and later was made into a book and animation version.
"We had been praying for Mr Usui's safety with his family but now feel the utmost regret over how things have turned out. We are in a big shock,"Futabasha, the publishing house of Crayon Shin-chan , said in a statement.His books have been translated in 14 countries and the animated version has been aired in 30 countries.
Blackhawk helicopter crashes at US base
The US military says a Blackhawk helicopter has crashed at a US base in Iraq, killing 1 service member and wounding 12 others.
The military says the helicopter went down on Saturday night at the Balad Air Base, 80km north of Baghdad. It says the cause of the crash is unknown and under investigation.
The name of the service member killed is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. With Saturday's death, at least 4,345 members of the US military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003.
Balad Air Base is home to about 20,000 US forces. It provides air power, logistics and counterterrorism support, as well as training for Iraqi security forces.
Meanwhile, in Kirkuk, Iraqi soldiers arrested three smugglers who were trying to sell artefacts from the Sumerian era,the earliest known human civilisation that existed in southern Mesopotamia from about 8,000 years ago.
Undercover agents posed as buyers for the artefacts on Saturday, according to the army chief of Kirkuk province.
The eight artefacts included a clay bust of what is believed to be a Sumerian king, a small jar and stamps from the royal Sumerian court.
The smugglers wanted $160,000(5.4 million baht) for all eight pieces. Iraq is struggling to recover ancient treasures stolen in a massive looting spree in Baghdad, sparked by the US-led invasion six-and-a-half years ago.
The military says the helicopter went down on Saturday night at the Balad Air Base, 80km north of Baghdad. It says the cause of the crash is unknown and under investigation.
The name of the service member killed is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. With Saturday's death, at least 4,345 members of the US military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003.
Balad Air Base is home to about 20,000 US forces. It provides air power, logistics and counterterrorism support, as well as training for Iraqi security forces.
Meanwhile, in Kirkuk, Iraqi soldiers arrested three smugglers who were trying to sell artefacts from the Sumerian era,the earliest known human civilisation that existed in southern Mesopotamia from about 8,000 years ago.
Undercover agents posed as buyers for the artefacts on Saturday, according to the army chief of Kirkuk province.
The eight artefacts included a clay bust of what is believed to be a Sumerian king, a small jar and stamps from the royal Sumerian court.
The smugglers wanted $160,000(5.4 million baht) for all eight pieces. Iraq is struggling to recover ancient treasures stolen in a massive looting spree in Baghdad, sparked by the US-led invasion six-and-a-half years ago.
Monday, September 21, 2009
PARENTS OF PHUKET CRASH VICTIMS WARN ABOUT AIRLINES
The parents of two Britons who died in a plane crash in Thailand warned other travellers on Wednesday of the dangers of flying on airlines blacklisted in Europe.
Alex Collins and Bethan Jones, both 22, were killed when a plane operated by budget airline One-Two-Go crashed on approach to landing in Phuket exactly two years ago, killing 90 passengers and crew.
In a joint anniversary statement, Jean and Steve Jones and Margaret and Richard Collins said: "No parent should ever have to go through the nightmare of losing a child in such a devastating way.
"We firmly believe this accident was preventable. The European Commission absolutely did the right thing in naming and shaming One-Two-Go Airlines," they added.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, added One-Two-Go to its blacklist of airlines banned from the 27-nation EU after the crash, although it has since been removed.
But the parents of Collins and Jones said others should be made aware of the dangers of blacklisted airlines.
"Our message to families is very clear: at all costs do not fly on any airline that has been on the EU blacklist, or is associated with an airline that has been named or shamed.
"Very few people are aware of this EU blacklist and we want to raise awareness of its imporatance, and the fact that it has, and will save lives.
The EU blacklist is dominated by African airlines, but also includes a few in Asia and former Soviet states.
Alex Collins and Bethan Jones, both 22, were killed when a plane operated by budget airline One-Two-Go crashed on approach to landing in Phuket exactly two years ago, killing 90 passengers and crew.
In a joint anniversary statement, Jean and Steve Jones and Margaret and Richard Collins said: "No parent should ever have to go through the nightmare of losing a child in such a devastating way.
"We firmly believe this accident was preventable. The European Commission absolutely did the right thing in naming and shaming One-Two-Go Airlines," they added.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, added One-Two-Go to its blacklist of airlines banned from the 27-nation EU after the crash, although it has since been removed.
But the parents of Collins and Jones said others should be made aware of the dangers of blacklisted airlines.
"Our message to families is very clear: at all costs do not fly on any airline that has been on the EU blacklist, or is associated with an airline that has been named or shamed.
"Very few people are aware of this EU blacklist and we want to raise awareness of its imporatance, and the fact that it has, and will save lives.
The EU blacklist is dominated by African airlines, but also includes a few in Asia and former Soviet states.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Migrants killed by smugglers in Gulf of Aden
Sixteen migrants died and 49 others are missing and feared dead while making a perilous voyage in smuggling boats across the Gulf of Aden, the UN refugee agency said yesterday.
Of the dead,11 suffocated, three were fatally beaten by smugglers and two drowned in three separate incidents that occurred in the last 48 hours, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said. At least two of the boats had set off from Somalia, but the migrants included non-Somalis, it added.
Conflict, famine and drought have pushed thousands of people to attempt the risky sea voyage.
This year alone, 860 boats carrying 43,586 people have attempted the crossing and 273 migrants have drowned or are presumed dead, said the UNHCR.
In the latest tragedies, survivors from one boat said passengers were "repeatedly beaten and threatened by the smugglers during the journey".
In another boat, smugglers beat three people to death while 10 died from asphyxiation. An 11th migrant suffocated on another vessel.
Of the dead,11 suffocated, three were fatally beaten by smugglers and two drowned in three separate incidents that occurred in the last 48 hours, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said. At least two of the boats had set off from Somalia, but the migrants included non-Somalis, it added.
Conflict, famine and drought have pushed thousands of people to attempt the risky sea voyage.
This year alone, 860 boats carrying 43,586 people have attempted the crossing and 273 migrants have drowned or are presumed dead, said the UNHCR.
In the latest tragedies, survivors from one boat said passengers were "repeatedly beaten and threatened by the smugglers during the journey".
In another boat, smugglers beat three people to death while 10 died from asphyxiation. An 11th migrant suffocated on another vessel.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Huge fire kills 38 at Kazakhstan drug treatment centre
Thirty-eight people were killed yesterday when a fire ripped through a drugs treatment facility in a city outside Kazakhstan's largest city Almaty, emergency officials said.
There was no information on what caused the fire, which began at roughly 5.30am in Taldykorgan, but officials said the blaze spread rapidly because firefighters were not informed quickly enough.
"According to tentative data,38 people were killed, of which 36 were patients and two were medical personnel," the Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry said in a statement.
"The cause for the rapid spread of the fire was that the fire services received the announcement too late."
Rescuers were able to save 40 patients and medical staff, the ministry said, while firefighters took hours to extinguish the blaze, which spread out over an area of almost 650 square metres.
Prime Minister Karim Masimov immediately called for the creation of a commission to investigate the cause of the fire, according to a statement on the government's main web portal.
"The country's prime minister has entrusted the commission with carefully investigating the cause of this tragedy,and taking exhaustive measures to render assistance to the victims," it said. The high-level commission will be lead by Vice-Prime Minister Serik Akhmedov.
Deadly fires are common in the former Soviet Union, with retirement homes and other state-run facilities particularly prone to such accidents. In 2006, 45 women were killed when a fire erupted at a drugs treatment clinic in Moscow.The women had been trapped behind locked doors and barred windows.
There was no information on what caused the fire, which began at roughly 5.30am in Taldykorgan, but officials said the blaze spread rapidly because firefighters were not informed quickly enough.
"According to tentative data,38 people were killed, of which 36 were patients and two were medical personnel," the Kazakh Emergency Situations Ministry said in a statement.
"The cause for the rapid spread of the fire was that the fire services received the announcement too late."
Rescuers were able to save 40 patients and medical staff, the ministry said, while firefighters took hours to extinguish the blaze, which spread out over an area of almost 650 square metres.
Prime Minister Karim Masimov immediately called for the creation of a commission to investigate the cause of the fire, according to a statement on the government's main web portal.
"The country's prime minister has entrusted the commission with carefully investigating the cause of this tragedy,and taking exhaustive measures to render assistance to the victims," it said. The high-level commission will be lead by Vice-Prime Minister Serik Akhmedov.
Deadly fires are common in the former Soviet Union, with retirement homes and other state-run facilities particularly prone to such accidents. In 2006, 45 women were killed when a fire erupted at a drugs treatment clinic in Moscow.The women had been trapped behind locked doors and barred windows.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Bus crash kills five kindergarten children
A kindergarten bus plunged into a stream in central China, killing five children and hurting three others, a state news agency reported yesterday.
The bus, carrying 11 children all under five, crashed after the driver lost control as he drove between their village to a kindergarten near Dengzhou city in Henan province on Tuesday morning,the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Eight of the 11 children were taken to hospitals in Dengzhou, where five died from injuries and three remained in stable condition, Xinhua said. The report said the driver was in police custody, but gave no details as to how he lost control of the bus. China has launched a crackdown to curb traffic violations ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the communist republic on Oct 1.
The bus, carrying 11 children all under five, crashed after the driver lost control as he drove between their village to a kindergarten near Dengzhou city in Henan province on Tuesday morning,the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Eight of the 11 children were taken to hospitals in Dengzhou, where five died from injuries and three remained in stable condition, Xinhua said. The report said the driver was in police custody, but gave no details as to how he lost control of the bus. China has launched a crackdown to curb traffic violations ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the communist republic on Oct 1.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Australian teen solo sailor crashes into ship
Crashing a tiny yacht into a massive bulk carrier would seem to be more than just a setback to most people,but not to an Australian teenager seeking to become the youngest woman to sail solo around the world.
Jessica Watson, 16, was conducting sea trials in her 10-metre yacht when the collision with the ship occurred in the early hours of yesterday on her first night at sea.
"The whole incident gives me confi-dence - wow, I can actually handle this," Ms Watson said."It could have happened to anyone. I'm unlucky I suppose, but you also learn from it."
The mast and deck of Ms Watson's pink-hulled yacht were damaged but she made it safely back to land.
Investigations were under way to determine why the bulk carrier did not stop, maritime authorities said, but it appeared likely the massive ship had not even seen Ms Watson's boat.
Jessica Watson, 16, was conducting sea trials in her 10-metre yacht when the collision with the ship occurred in the early hours of yesterday on her first night at sea.
"The whole incident gives me confi-dence - wow, I can actually handle this," Ms Watson said."It could have happened to anyone. I'm unlucky I suppose, but you also learn from it."
The mast and deck of Ms Watson's pink-hulled yacht were damaged but she made it safely back to land.
Investigations were under way to determine why the bulk carrier did not stop, maritime authorities said, but it appeared likely the massive ship had not even seen Ms Watson's boat.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Coal mine blast kills at least 35
At least 35 people were killed and 44 others were trapped yesterday after a gas explosion at a coal mine in central China.
A total of 93 people were working in the mine in Pingdingshan city in Henan province when the blast took place in the early morning, the State Administration of Work Safety said on its website.Fourteen were able to escape, it said.
Production was suspended at all of the city's 157 mines pending a "safety overhaul", the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The explosion came just a few days after Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang called on authorities to improve safety in the country's coal mines, in particular to prevent gas blast accidents, according to remarks published by Xinhua.
Mr Zhang and State Administration of Work Safety chief Luo Lin were dispatched to the scene to oversee the rescue operation and investigation, the agency said.
The mine's owners have been placed under police surveillance and its bank account frozen, according to Xinhua.
Xinhua reported that a preliminary investigation had shown illegal mining was to blame for the accident.
Meanwhile, in the troubled city of Urumqi, three buildings owned by the family of exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer will be demolished, Xinhua news agency said, as the Chinese government attempts to reassert control over the ethnically-divided city.
The government ordered shops and businesses in central Urumqi to close early on Monday, giving rise to a wave of rumours of new unrest among citizens panicked by mysterious needle attacks.
Police received another 77 reports of needle attacks between Sunday evening and Monday evening. A Han Chinese crowd also assaulted an Uighur on Monday after another alleged needle attack.
Thousands of Han Chinese demonstrated in Urumqi last week, calling for the ouster of regional party secretary Wang Lequan for failing to ensure their safety and for not moving fast enough on trials for Uighur rioters.
A total of 93 people were working in the mine in Pingdingshan city in Henan province when the blast took place in the early morning, the State Administration of Work Safety said on its website.Fourteen were able to escape, it said.
Production was suspended at all of the city's 157 mines pending a "safety overhaul", the official Xinhua news agency reported.
The explosion came just a few days after Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang called on authorities to improve safety in the country's coal mines, in particular to prevent gas blast accidents, according to remarks published by Xinhua.
Mr Zhang and State Administration of Work Safety chief Luo Lin were dispatched to the scene to oversee the rescue operation and investigation, the agency said.
The mine's owners have been placed under police surveillance and its bank account frozen, according to Xinhua.
Xinhua reported that a preliminary investigation had shown illegal mining was to blame for the accident.
Meanwhile, in the troubled city of Urumqi, three buildings owned by the family of exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer will be demolished, Xinhua news agency said, as the Chinese government attempts to reassert control over the ethnically-divided city.
The government ordered shops and businesses in central Urumqi to close early on Monday, giving rise to a wave of rumours of new unrest among citizens panicked by mysterious needle attacks.
Police received another 77 reports of needle attacks between Sunday evening and Monday evening. A Han Chinese crowd also assaulted an Uighur on Monday after another alleged needle attack.
Thousands of Han Chinese demonstrated in Urumqi last week, calling for the ouster of regional party secretary Wang Lequan for failing to ensure their safety and for not moving fast enough on trials for Uighur rioters.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Overcoming the odds
With determination, courage - and help from society - teenager Natida Chaiyasit won't |let a dreadful acid accident three years ago define the rest of her life
As Natida Chaiyasit's life was falling apart from a horrendous acid accident three years ago, society came to her rescue.
Even complete strangers did not leave Natida alone in her plight. They have given her help, moral support and at least Bt500,000. Through those caring hearts, Natida is rebuilding her life.
Natida, whose nickname is "Mam", was just 13 years old when a bottle of acid exploded in her face.
On that fateful day, Natida's aunt asked her to buy a bottle of acid for the family's rubber plantation.
How it happened
"I took my motorbike and bought the acid and an energy drink and put them in a plastic bag. My younger brother was holding the bag but he wanted to get off to see a friend, so then I balanced the bag on my knee with one hand and drove my bike with the other," said the girl.
"As I was driving, the two bottles knocked together and shattered. The energy drink reacted with the acid, and that made everything explode in my face. I was knocked out. My aunt heard my bike crash and came rushing out. She drove me to my mum's house but she didn't know what to do.
"My grandfather had an old truck so he tried to take me to hospital, but it ran out of petrol after one kilometre. Luckily some rescue people were nearby and they took me to the nearest hospital."
Nurses helped cool the burns before transferring her to another hospital, where Natida regained consciousness.
"When I woke up I couldn't see anything as they'd wrapped bandages around my face. I felt hot and numb," Natida said.
She remained in hospital for 12 days and then faced the first of more than 20 operations. Doctors made her face swollen so they could use some of the excess skin to rebuild her features.
Horrifically scarred
Mam remembers seeing her face for the first time after the accident: she held a mirror up and instantly burst into tears as she realised her once-pretty face had been horrifically scarred.
"It was terrible. I was with my mum and we both cried a lot. She held me and told me it didn't matter how I looked, she still loved me."
Indeed, there were many problems to overcome. At night she was covered by a mosquito net so insects would not attack the dead skin. Her mouth was so badly burned she could only eat small pieces of food with a spoon. And on the first day of her returning to school, she felt shame when other children made fun of her appearance.
However, teachers gathered students together and told them not to tease Natida.
Society chips in
The principal and the village leader also decided to launch an appeal to help pay for her hospital fees. As the family lived within the Khao Chamao National Park, the village leader placed a donation box near the entrance. One group heard about Natida and decided to e-mail everyone they knew. Soon the e-mail was being sent all around Thailand and kind-hearted strangers were sending donations.
Before long, Bt500,000 was raised. Extra help came from Bangkok's Yanhee Hospital: it agreed to waive all future operation fees, expected to reach around Bt1 million.
Doctors are confident they can restore 70 per cent of Natida's face.
"I feel very happy so many people have helped me. I have many friends in my village and we play badminton and sing songs all the time. If people do stare at me I don't care, I can't change what has happened."
Natida plans to study at university and eventually become a computer programmer.
As Natida Chaiyasit's life was falling apart from a horrendous acid accident three years ago, society came to her rescue.
Even complete strangers did not leave Natida alone in her plight. They have given her help, moral support and at least Bt500,000. Through those caring hearts, Natida is rebuilding her life.
Natida, whose nickname is "Mam", was just 13 years old when a bottle of acid exploded in her face.
On that fateful day, Natida's aunt asked her to buy a bottle of acid for the family's rubber plantation.
How it happened
"I took my motorbike and bought the acid and an energy drink and put them in a plastic bag. My younger brother was holding the bag but he wanted to get off to see a friend, so then I balanced the bag on my knee with one hand and drove my bike with the other," said the girl.
"As I was driving, the two bottles knocked together and shattered. The energy drink reacted with the acid, and that made everything explode in my face. I was knocked out. My aunt heard my bike crash and came rushing out. She drove me to my mum's house but she didn't know what to do.
"My grandfather had an old truck so he tried to take me to hospital, but it ran out of petrol after one kilometre. Luckily some rescue people were nearby and they took me to the nearest hospital."
Nurses helped cool the burns before transferring her to another hospital, where Natida regained consciousness.
"When I woke up I couldn't see anything as they'd wrapped bandages around my face. I felt hot and numb," Natida said.
She remained in hospital for 12 days and then faced the first of more than 20 operations. Doctors made her face swollen so they could use some of the excess skin to rebuild her features.
Horrifically scarred
Mam remembers seeing her face for the first time after the accident: she held a mirror up and instantly burst into tears as she realised her once-pretty face had been horrifically scarred.
"It was terrible. I was with my mum and we both cried a lot. She held me and told me it didn't matter how I looked, she still loved me."
Indeed, there were many problems to overcome. At night she was covered by a mosquito net so insects would not attack the dead skin. Her mouth was so badly burned she could only eat small pieces of food with a spoon. And on the first day of her returning to school, she felt shame when other children made fun of her appearance.
However, teachers gathered students together and told them not to tease Natida.
Society chips in
The principal and the village leader also decided to launch an appeal to help pay for her hospital fees. As the family lived within the Khao Chamao National Park, the village leader placed a donation box near the entrance. One group heard about Natida and decided to e-mail everyone they knew. Soon the e-mail was being sent all around Thailand and kind-hearted strangers were sending donations.
Before long, Bt500,000 was raised. Extra help came from Bangkok's Yanhee Hospital: it agreed to waive all future operation fees, expected to reach around Bt1 million.
Doctors are confident they can restore 70 per cent of Natida's face.
"I feel very happy so many people have helped me. I have many friends in my village and we play badminton and sing songs all the time. If people do stare at me I don't care, I can't change what has happened."
Natida plans to study at university and eventually become a computer programmer.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tourist ferry capsizes killing 15 Bulgarians
An ageing tourist boat sank suddenly in Macedonia's popular Lake Ohrid on Saturday, killing 15 Bulgarians as survivors clung to wooden planks and buoys.
The Iliden was 200m from shore when it apparently capsized into the deepest lake in the region - famous for its turquoise waters - at around 11am near a campsite outside Ohrid city.
"More than 70 passengers were on the boat," Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska said."Fifteen perished, four seriously injured were taken to hospital in Ohrid and about 50 survivors are at a local hotel."
The captain of the Iliden was among the dead, Mr Jankulovska said.
"The boat swerved sharply and capsized. It started to sink instantly," a survivor identified as Ivan told Bulgarian national radio."People grabbed wooden planks and life buoys, but there were not enough buoys and not enough life saving jackets for everybody."
He said he held on to a wooden plank while his wife and three other women stayed afloat with a buoy.
Bulgarian officials blamed overcrowding as the likely cause of the disaster.The government has declared a national day of mourning for today.
The Iliden was 200m from shore when it apparently capsized into the deepest lake in the region - famous for its turquoise waters - at around 11am near a campsite outside Ohrid city.
"More than 70 passengers were on the boat," Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska said."Fifteen perished, four seriously injured were taken to hospital in Ohrid and about 50 survivors are at a local hotel."
The captain of the Iliden was among the dead, Mr Jankulovska said.
"The boat swerved sharply and capsized. It started to sink instantly," a survivor identified as Ivan told Bulgarian national radio."People grabbed wooden planks and life buoys, but there were not enough buoys and not enough life saving jackets for everybody."
He said he held on to a wooden plank while his wife and three other women stayed afloat with a buoy.
Bulgarian officials blamed overcrowding as the likely cause of the disaster.The government has declared a national day of mourning for today.
Friday, September 4, 2009
US ORDERS SENSORS REPLACED ON AIRBUS PLANES
US airlines must now replace speed probes built by France's Thales on some of their Airbus planes, amid fears the instruments contributed to the crash of an Air France jet in June.
The US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) order, which affects Airbus A330 and A340 jets, was published on Wednesday and takes effect on Tuesday.
The FAA has given US carriers until January to replace the sensors, also known as pitots, with new ones built by the US firm Goodrich.
"We have reviewed numerous airspeed anomalies recently reported and we have determined that an unsafe condition exists," the FAA decision read.
Investigators believe false data from speed monitors could have contributed to the June I crash of Flight 447 in the Atlantic that killed all 228 people on board, the worst disaster in Air France's 75-year history.
The French accident investigation agency BEA confirmed that the older version of the Thales speed monitors gave false airspeed data to the cockpit of the flight from Rio to Paris before it plunged into the ocean.
The BEA has said the faulty sensors were a contributing factor but not the cause of the crash, which was yet to be explained.
Meanwhile, Air France KLM plans to train pilots on how to respond if an aircraft's speed probes, or pitot, fail to function and give incoherent speed readings, the airline's biggest union in France said.
The US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) order, which affects Airbus A330 and A340 jets, was published on Wednesday and takes effect on Tuesday.
The FAA has given US carriers until January to replace the sensors, also known as pitots, with new ones built by the US firm Goodrich.
"We have reviewed numerous airspeed anomalies recently reported and we have determined that an unsafe condition exists," the FAA decision read.
Investigators believe false data from speed monitors could have contributed to the June I crash of Flight 447 in the Atlantic that killed all 228 people on board, the worst disaster in Air France's 75-year history.
The French accident investigation agency BEA confirmed that the older version of the Thales speed monitors gave false airspeed data to the cockpit of the flight from Rio to Paris before it plunged into the ocean.
The BEA has said the faulty sensors were a contributing factor but not the cause of the crash, which was yet to be explained.
Meanwhile, Air France KLM plans to train pilots on how to respond if an aircraft's speed probes, or pitot, fail to function and give incoherent speed readings, the airline's biggest union in France said.
Helicopter carrying chief minister disappears
A helicopter carrying a powerful south Indian politician disappeared yesterday over an area held by Maoist rebels, triggering a huge land-and-air search, officials said.
Indian air force aircraft joined the hunt for Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state,when his helicopter lost radio contact after it took off from the state capital Hyderabad, a military spokesman said.
"Right now we can only pray," Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the national capital New Delhi.
Police, backed by paramilitary troopers, were on their way to join the search for Mr Reddy's aircraft which was believed to have crashed, he said.
Mr Reddy, who belongs to India's ruling Congress Party, had been leading a vigorous military campaign to smash strongholds of outlawed Maoist rebels who dominate wide swathes of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Indian air force aircraft joined the hunt for Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state,when his helicopter lost radio contact after it took off from the state capital Hyderabad, a military spokesman said.
"Right now we can only pray," Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram said in the national capital New Delhi.
Police, backed by paramilitary troopers, were on their way to join the search for Mr Reddy's aircraft which was believed to have crashed, he said.
Mr Reddy, who belongs to India's ruling Congress Party, had been leading a vigorous military campaign to smash strongholds of outlawed Maoist rebels who dominate wide swathes of coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Santika probe nears an end
The police expect to wrap up their investigation this week into the Santika pub inferno.
Pol Maj Gen Likhit Lin-ouan, the deputy city police commissioner heading the team investigating the fire at Santika pub on Soi Ekamai in the first few minutes of Jan 1,2009, said officers would question another five or six witnesses, including those injured in the fire, before submitting their report to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Video footage of the incident would be shown to witnesses to help police verify the facts, he said, after calling a meeting with his team to discuss the progress of their inquiries.
The blaze, which erupted as revellers celebrated the New Year, killed 66 people and injured hundreds of others.
A police team has been sent to track down Suriya Ritrabue, the managing director of White and Brothers, the pub operator, who is still on the run,Pol Maj Gen Likhit said.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat yesterday said teams had been set up in Bangkok and other provinces to inspect safety measures at pubs and night entertainment venues.
There were six teams in Bangkok and 11 others in the provinces, said the deputy minister after chairing a meeting with a ministry panel inspecting pubs and entertainment venues.
He said the teams had been set up to prevent a recurrence of the Santika fire. Fire drills were held yesterday at two major pubs in Bangkok.
Mr Boonjong said the teams would not arrest anybody during their inspections. They would educate operators and visitors about safety measures and insurance policies.
He said operators of entertainment venues would be required to take out public liability insurance.
The ministry had reached a conclusion on the public liability insurance fees, which would vary depending on the size and type of business, Mr Boonjong said.
Entertainment venues required to take out insurance cover would include those with dance shows, which would pay 10,000 baht a year; venues with food and alcohol served by staff (8,000 baht); massage parlours (10,000 baht),venues with an area of up to 300 square metres and selling food and alcohol (8,000 baht); and venues with an area of more than 300sqm (10,000 baht).
He said the insurance cover would provide at least 100,000 baht a person to a third party in case of death or complete disability and medical coverage of at least 100,000 baht a person to the injured. Outlets would also be required to take out insurance of at least 5 million baht covering patrons' personal property.
More than 30 insurance firms have shown an interest in providing coverage which would cover fires, bombs and building collapse, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Likhit Lin-ouan, the deputy city police commissioner heading the team investigating the fire at Santika pub on Soi Ekamai in the first few minutes of Jan 1,2009, said officers would question another five or six witnesses, including those injured in the fire, before submitting their report to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Video footage of the incident would be shown to witnesses to help police verify the facts, he said, after calling a meeting with his team to discuss the progress of their inquiries.
The blaze, which erupted as revellers celebrated the New Year, killed 66 people and injured hundreds of others.
A police team has been sent to track down Suriya Ritrabue, the managing director of White and Brothers, the pub operator, who is still on the run,Pol Maj Gen Likhit said.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat yesterday said teams had been set up in Bangkok and other provinces to inspect safety measures at pubs and night entertainment venues.
There were six teams in Bangkok and 11 others in the provinces, said the deputy minister after chairing a meeting with a ministry panel inspecting pubs and entertainment venues.
He said the teams had been set up to prevent a recurrence of the Santika fire. Fire drills were held yesterday at two major pubs in Bangkok.
Mr Boonjong said the teams would not arrest anybody during their inspections. They would educate operators and visitors about safety measures and insurance policies.
He said operators of entertainment venues would be required to take out public liability insurance.
The ministry had reached a conclusion on the public liability insurance fees, which would vary depending on the size and type of business, Mr Boonjong said.
Entertainment venues required to take out insurance cover would include those with dance shows, which would pay 10,000 baht a year; venues with food and alcohol served by staff (8,000 baht); massage parlours (10,000 baht),venues with an area of up to 300 square metres and selling food and alcohol (8,000 baht); and venues with an area of more than 300sqm (10,000 baht).
He said the insurance cover would provide at least 100,000 baht a person to a third party in case of death or complete disability and medical coverage of at least 100,000 baht a person to the injured. Outlets would also be required to take out insurance of at least 5 million baht covering patrons' personal property.
More than 30 insurance firms have shown an interest in providing coverage which would cover fires, bombs and building collapse, he said.
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