Modified Firecrackers Explode, Injuring Four Children in Udon Thani
Four children were injured, one critically with a torn mouth and cheek, when modified firecrackers exploded prematurely in Nong Han district, Udon Thani. The children had scraped gunpowder from about 20 firecrackers, packed it into a balloon with a stone, and planned to throw it, but it detonated in their hands. Authorities are investigating the source of the fireworks, which the children said they bought near a school in Phibun Rak district.
This happens every year! Children playing with firecrackers modified them, causing an explosion that injured four, one seriously with a torn mouth. On October 24, 2026, reporters said earlier this morning on a road in front of a house near the Ban Dong Wang Phang Early Childhood Development Center in Sa Bua subdistrict, Nong Han district, Udon Thani province, an incident occurred where children modifying firecrackers caused them to explode, injuring several children. Preliminary questioning revealed a group of children brought firecrackers and about 20 firecracker balls to scrape gunpowder together, then put it into a balloon with a stone until it was fist-sized, intending to throw it for fun, but it exploded prematurely, injuring several children. Later in the afternoon, Mr. Pongsak Muktamueang, Nong Han District Chief, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Kittithana Thanasetthachotchai, Deputy Superintendent of Nong Han Police Station, the Kamnan, village headman, and relevant officials inspected the scene before checking village shops, finding no shops selling firecrackers to the injured children. The injured children said they bought firecrackers in front of Phairat Valley School in Phibun Rak district, Udon Thani, and officials will coordinate with Phibun Rak district administration and police to inspect the source. Of the four injured children: a boy, 'Big' (pseudonym), age 11, suffered severe injuries to his mouth, torn deeply to the cheekbone; a boy, 'Pik' (pseudonym), age 10, had shrapnel wounds on both hands and arms; a boy, 'Kon' (pseudonym), age 13, had shrapnel wounds on his leg and little finger; and a girl, 'Nui' (pseudonym), age 8, had injuries to both legs. The injured were treated at Nong Han Hospital (two cases), while the seriously injured were transferred to Udon Thani Hospital (one case). Nui said in the morning an older sibling invited her to play at a house, and they watched a movie. She did not know where the firecrackers came from. Before the incident, she heard the older siblings talking about going to a shop, then a loud explosion occurred. She did not know what happened until she realized her legs were injured. Ms. Ratchana, 33, Big's aunt, said she was sleeping inside the house when she heard a loud explosion that shook the house, followed by children crying in pain. She rushed out and found her nephew running in, shocked, with his mouth torn open and blood covering his face. He said they scraped gunpowder from about 20 firecracker balls to make a new device, intending to throw it for fun, but it exploded in his hand.
