New Delhi [India]: At least 27 people have been killed in a fire that tore through a bar in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok.
The deceased include nine men and 18 women. More than 60 people are being treated in the hospital.
Firefighters were called to the scene just after midnight last night and discovered patrons fleeing through the flame-enveloped front door of the venue.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the media that 27 bodies have been recovered.
Though the cause of the fire is still under investigation, electrical short circuit is suspected to be the reason.
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The bar is located in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok. It is a popular restaurant and entertainment venue in the area.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and officials have not yet confirmed what triggered the blaze.
However, Thailand's Prime Minister has reportedly said that a musician performing at the venue told authorities he saw an electrical circuit catch fire while on stage. This account has not been officially verified by investigators.
Witnesses said the fire spread through the premises within seconds, rapidly engulfing the venue. Initial reports suggest that decorative material on the ceiling may have accelerated the spread of the flames. Authorities believe that most of the victims died from smoke inhalation rather than burn injuries, a key aspect that will form part of the ongoing investigation.
Rescue and identification efforts continued for several hours after the incident, with emergency teams working to account for all those affected. Videos from the scene have continued to emerge, highlighting the speed and intensity of the blaze.
Investigators are also examining whether an electrical fault or malfunctioning circuit breaker may have contributed to the fire.
Circuit breakers are designed to interrupt the flow of electricity during overloads or faults, but officials say it is too early to determine whether any equipment failure played a role.
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The tragedy has drawn comparisons to previous deadly fire incidents, including a similar blaze in Goa, India, and another fatal fire in Switzerland, where highly flammable ceiling materials were reported to have contributed to the rapid spread of flames.
Authorities have urged the public not to speculate while forensic experts continue to examine the site. More details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses.
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