A fire that raged through a Cambodian hotel casino killed at least ten people and injured 30, according to police, and neighbouring Thailand dispatched firetrucks to help fight the blaze in a busy border region.
Social media videos appeared to show people jumping from windows after being trapped by the fire at the Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel in the border town of Poipet. Hundreds of Thais were reportedly trapped inside, according to Thailand’s public broadcaster.
The fire, which began around midnight Wednesday, was still raging Thursday morning.
According to Maj. Gen. Sithi Loh, police chief in Banteay Meanchey province, at least ten people were killed and another 30 were injured, some critically.
He stated that 360 emergency personnel and 11 firetrucks were dispatched to the scene and that rescue teams were searching for victims.
According to Sithi Loh, the cause of the fire is unknown. The casino employed approximately 400 people.
According to Thai PBS, 50 Thais, both employees and customers, were trapped inside the casino complex. According to the report, Cambodian authorities requested assistance from Thailand in dealing with the fire, which responded with five firetrucks and ten rescue vans.
Poipet, in western Cambodia, is located next to the more prosperous Thai city of Aranyaprathet, and there is active cross-border trade and tourism.
According to Thai PBS, the emergency ward at Aranyaprathet Hospital was full, and other victims were transferred to other hospitals.
