Fire Rips Through Cambodian Casino on Thailand Border Killing 27

08:58
21 Feb

On the evening of December 29, 2022, tragedy struck at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet, Cambodia, as a raging fire engulfed the complex. The flames spread rapidly, leaving 27 people dead and dozens with life-threatening injuries.

Onlookers were horrified as they captured the scene on their cameras, with images showing people huddled on ledges and windowsills in a desperate attempt to escape the inferno, while others were forced to jump from windows in order to survive.

Cambodian authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fire. Emergency personnel and fire trucks were immediately dispatched to the scene, but the rapid spread of the blaze made rescue efforts particularly difficult. Many Thai citizens were reported to be among those trapped inside the hotel-casino, including both staff and customers.

A volunteer with the Thai rescue group, Ruamkatanyu Foundation, shared that the fire appeared to have originated on the first floor, but quickly spread along the carpets, leaping up through the building's multiple levels. Montri Khaosa-ard, a member of the Foundation, stated that:

"I don't think there will be any survivors because of very thick smoke. Even we all have to wear proper gear when we go inside the building, otherwise we cannot breathe at all."

In the aftermath of the disaster, hospitals treated a total of 79 Thai nationals, 30 Cambodians and 8 Indonesians. Governor Parinya Phothisat of the Thai Sa Kaeo province reported that the victims were receiving treatment at various medical facilities.

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A Familiar Tale

This tragic incident serves as yet another reminder of the importance of proper safety measures in entertainment venues. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time that Southeast Asia has seen such a devastating fire in recent months. In August 2022, a fire broke out at a Thai nightclub killing 26 people, while in September another blaze occurred in a karaoke bar in southern Vietnam claiming 32 lives.

The region has long struggled with lax safety regulations, particularly in its numerous bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues, and the issue has become an increasingly pressing concern among governments and the public.

In 2009, a deadly inferno at Bangkok's Santika club claimed 67 lives and injured over 200. All of these incidents have led to calls for proper safety measures to be implemented in all entertainment venues to protect the lives of patrons. This has become an important priority for the government in Thailand during the latter half of 2022.