The explosion, which took place at 3.30pm local time in Mundok, Sungai Kolok, destroyed more than 200 homes and shops, and 15 vehicles. The total losses are estimated at 100 million baht (RM13.29 million).

To date, no Malaysians were reported hurt in the explosion.

Narathiwat governor Sanan Pongaksorn said the nine who were killed included an eight-month-old toddler, his four-year-old sister and their 28-year-old mother.

A 36-year-old Indonesian woman was among the 117 injured in the incident, he added.

“Preliminary findings suggest that sparks from welding caused the blast as workers were installing a new cabinet.

“There are more than 365 families affected by the explosion. The government will provide compensation to families of those killed in the incident, as well as those injured,” he said at a press conference here today.

He added that seven of the victims were buried in a single grave on Saturday night, while the identities of two others are still pending DNA testing.

Sanan said 10 other victims who suffered injuries are still receiving treatment at the Sungai Kolok hospital.

“More than 1,000 volunteers and officers are on the ground helping locals clean up the debris left by the explosion,” he said.

The warehouse was reportedly storing a large quantity of explosives. Photos and videos showed that the blast destroyed a substantial area surrounding the warehouse.

Meanwhile, commander of the Fourth Army Region, Lt-Gen Santi Sakuntanark said a special task force had been set up to investigate the incident.

“We will call in the warehouse owner once he is back from abroad,” he said.