Death Toll Climbs to 30 in Bangkok Bar Blaze
The death toll from a devastating fire at a Bangkok music venue has risen to 30, authorities confirmed on Monday morning. Over 70 individuals remain in hospital, with 24 fighting for their lives in critical condition, according to Bangkok city officials.
Fire Erupts at Rong Beer Na Ladprao Bar
The inferno at Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar, the capital's most deadly fire in 17 years, erupted late Sunday evening in the northern district of the Thai capital. Emergency crews required 30 minutes to extinguish the flames. The establishment, which describes itself as a brewery or beer hall in Thai, boasted capacity for up to 600 patrons. Numbers present on Sunday night remain unclear.
Victims Trapped in Windowless Toilets
Most of the victims ran to the back of the building, into the bathroom, and there was no clear sign of a fire exit, said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site. Investigators are examining what sparked the fire and whether the venue complied with safety protocols. The majority of fatalities were discovered trapped in windowless toilets where they had apparently fled to escape the blaze, police revealed.
Negligence Theory Investigated
National police chief Kittiratt Phanphe said: 'At this time, police have established negligence as the primary theory guiding their investigation.' Previous customers and grieving members of the public flocked to the scene on Monday, contributing to the mounting display of flowers placed against barriers surrounding the burnt-out site.
Tributes and Remnants at the Scene
Handwritten tributes in Thai and various languages, including Korean, were placed among white blooms, offering sympathy to those who perished. Remnants from the bar – including melted musical equipment and charred seating – were strewn across the pavement, relocated there on Monday by Thai officials probing the fire's origin.
