At least 27 killed in Bangkok bar fire, Thai media report
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A fire at a Bangkok bar killed at least 27 people, according to Thai media reports.
- Firefighters battled the blaze shortly after midnight, with patrons seen fleeing the burning venue.
- The cause of the fire is under investigation, and several people are reported missing.
A devastating fire ripped through a popular Bangkok bar early Friday, killing at least 27 people and injuring several others, Thai media reported. Firefighters responded to the scene just after midnight, finding patrons desperately escaping the flames engulfing the venue.
Unverified video captured the intense blaze, showing flames erupting from the bar as one woman stumbled to the ground before managing to flee. Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the death toll at the scene, stating that 27 individuals had died and multiple others were hospitalized. He emphasized that the investigation into the fire's origin was ongoing.
The affected bar, located in the Chatuchak District, is known as a prominent entertainment spot and restaurant. Fire crews managed to bring the inferno under control within half an hour. Images from inside the bar after the fire revealed extensive charring and damage, with the ceiling severely compromised. Authorities are still accounting for a number of missing persons following the disaster.
27 people died and several have been taken to the hospital.
Originally published by BBC News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.