At least 25 killed in Cambodia hotel-casino fire, including Malaysian, Chinese, Thai nationals
- Death toll could rise, officials say, following the blaze at the venue on the Cambodian-Thai border in Poipet
- Video footage shared online showed rescuers attempting to pluck guests from a burning ledge
The blaze at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet, on the Thai border, which started around midnight on Wednesday, was finally put out at 2pm on Thursday, said Sek Sokhom, head of Banteay Meanchey’s information department.
“The death toll now is around 25,” he said on Friday. Earlier, he said more than 60 people were injured and the toll could rise.
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Massive fire engulfs Cambodian casino, people jump out of windows to escape
The dead and injured comprised people of several nationalities, including Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Cambodian, he said adding a local Buddhist temple was being used to receive their bodies.
An initial investigation found that the fire could have been caused by an overload due to New Year’s decorations drawing increased electricity, causing wires to overheat and burn, he added.
Sa Kaeo Governor Parinya Phothisat said another 60-odd people caught up in the conflagration had already been checked and cleared by Thai hospitals.
Banteay Meanchey police chief Sithi Loh said earlier 360 emergency personnel and 11 fire trucks had been sent to the scene of the fire. The casino employed about 400 workers.