Footage taken today shows the damaged oil tanker that exploded in Thailand on Tuesday killing eight people with one still missing.

The ship was engulfed in flames following the blast on the Mae Klong river in Samut Songkhram, central Thailand, at around 9 am local time.

Officials said today January 18 that a further six workers had been found dead, adding to the two who were killed the day before. Four were injured.

Such was the force of the blast, the dead man's leg was found around 500 metres from his body. Homes surrounding the industrial centre were also rocked by the explosion, with roofs and walls being rattled by the force and glass windows shattering.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the inferno on the vessel named Smooth Sea 22. Provincial Governor Somnuk Promkeaw arrived with paramedics and rescue teams, who set up an operation centre in front of the office of Ruammitr Dockyard Company.

At least four firefighting trucks, two firefighting boats, two rescue pickup trucks, and two ambulances were gathered for the mission.

Officials said the oil tanker had docked for maintenance at the shipyard on January 12 with 20,000 litres of fuel oil and diesel onboard.

Governor Somnuek said the explosion happened while welding was being carried out by around 10 workers aboard the vessel, with another 30 on shore.

According to Marine Department, the Smooth Sea 22 was given a license on June 9, 2022, for carrying oil with a flash point under 60 degrees Celcius. The license's expiration date was May 30, 2023.