The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced the deaths of three of its employees in an explosion today (Tuesday), at the scene of Saturday’s train derailment, and has promised compensation to their families.

The bodies of Phumiphan Petchsuk, Nawarit Suwanchatri and Yingsak Chumtri, who were reported missing after the explosion today, have now been located. Four others received minor injuries.

SRT Governor Nirut Maneephan expressed condolences to the families of the dead, as he promised compensation, adding that the four injured employees will also receive assistance.

He is also seeking help from security forces, by clearing the scene and nearby areas of any hidden explosives and by increasing security for train passengers.

The freight train, travelling between Hat Yai and Padang Besar border town, was derailed on Saturday after it ran over an IED hidden under the rail tracks. There were, however, no injuries in that initial blast, as there were only four railway employees on board the train at the time.

Security officials combed the area around the explosion before most of them were withdrawn yesterday, to allow railway officials to repair the damaged tracks and to remove the derailed cars.

Seven railway officials were inspecting the tracks and the nearby area this morning when the second device detonated.