At least 10 people have been killed and 50 injured in a fire at a casino in the western Cambodian town of Poipet after a gas tank exploded near the complex.
The incident, in which at least ten people have died and most of whom were from Thailand, took place at the Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel in Poipet, located on Cambodia’s border with the Thai state, Rasmei News has reported.
In addition, at least 50 people were injured as a result of burns from the flames, smoke inhalation, as well as from jumping to the street from several floors high.
«According to the report of the Provincial Disaster Management Committee, so far 10 people have died and more than 50 have been injured, and the joint Cambodian-Thai authorities are still searching for more,» Cambodian authorities have detailed in a statement.
The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and head of the Cambodian Interior Ministry, Samdech Krala Hom Sar, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yam, have arrived at the scene, where they took command of the rescue operation for the fire, which has not yet been extinguished.
At around 5.00 a.m. (local time) a gas tank explosion took place near the casino, seriously damaging the building, injuring pedestrians passing by, as well as starting a fire that so far has not been extinguished.
According to witnesses, as a result of the explosion, some people jumped from the casino building, after which two people of foreign nationality died, according to the above-mentioned media.
A group of employees and customers also reportedly had difficulties to get to safety, as the fire spread rapidly from the lower floors upwards, blocking the exit, according to ‘Kohsant Epheah Daily’.
Meanwhile, another group of people climbed onto the roof of the building and were evacuated with the help of emergency services helicopters.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
