The update below is based on an article in Prachathai (http://www.prachatai.com/journal/2009/11/26676)

On November 17, 2009 at approximately 9am, Triumph tested the fire emergency alarm. However, they had not notified anyone beforehand. Neither relevant government officials, union or OHS committee had been told. When the alarm thus sounded the workers panicked and scrambled for the exit. During the panick 129 workers got injured. Amongst those 5 workers have been more seriously injured and are still under observation at the hospital, including an eight month pregnant worker and a worker who had recently been operated. Most of the other injured workers sustained smaller wounds and/or bruises.
The remaining uninjured workers were in a state of chock and unable to continue working.

Later on the same day the corporate head of supply chain, Leonardo Innocenzi explained at an assembly at the cantina through translation by the production manager, Commodore Pichayen Tanprasert explained “we are trying to make it nice herem but there are many dangers hidden amongst us, from my travels around the world I have seen some, for instance 2 months ago 55 workers died in a fire at a factory smaller than Triumph in Marocco. They died because they didn’t know how to escape the fire….today we noted the time and found that the first workers left within 4 minutes, but the last took 10 minutes. We should be out in 2 minutes, otherwise we risk our lives. There are three reasons why we did this: First we have to be responsible, both because of ethics but also because of the law, second I have to ensure that the workers can get home as they came and third, therefore I need to know for sure that when something happens then our workers know what to do and can protect themselves against danger. This is reason why we practice the fire drill without informing first”

On the day of the unannounced firedrill 129 workers were admitted to the hospital due to injuries, exhaustion and chock. On the following day another 5 workers were admitted with similar symptoms. 5 workers were staying overnight and received intravenous drop. The pregnant worker is still in hospital where she and her unborn child is under observation to determine whether she might need a premature caesarian.
Another worker who had just had been through a heart operation, when she ran for her life she fell and got into a state of chock and couldn’t breath. She had to be admitted to the hospital immediately. Another worker who had a slight fever was hit by the closing fire door. She was unable to move her arm and was going to check whether it was broken.

Some of the workers had also recently been transferred from another facility after Body Fashion had laid off 1959 workers. As they were still unfamiliar with how to exit the factory in emergency, they added to the confusion.

According to the union this is the first time that Triumph has done an unannounced emergency drill. This is not legal and normally pregnant workers and sick workers are exempted from the drills.

The company is only willing to compensate workers for the hospital bill and transport home, but refuse to pay any compensation for the chock that the workers have experienced.
The Prachathai article refers to the Notification of the Ministry of Interior re fire alarms and informing of fire drills (1991), section 8, article 36 part 2, which state that any fire drill has to be announced to the authorities at least 30 days before.