Bangkok: At least 27 people died and over 63 were injured in a massive fire that broke out at a pub in Na Ladprao, north of the Thai capital Bangkok, on Monday morning.
The fire broke out suddenly and engulfed the pub in a matter of minutes. The pub was then engulfed in smoke and flames.
Videos circulating on social media showed heavy flames and thick black smoke billowing from the front of the pub. People inside were seen running out in panic to save their lives.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul visited the scene and said that the bodies of many of the victims were found near the toilets at the back of the pub. He said that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.
A musician performing at the pub said that smoke first appeared from an electrical circuit breaker near the stage. Then the power went out and a loud explosion was heard. Within moments, the pub was filled with thick smoke, making it difficult for people to get out.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said that 63 people had been admitted to various hospitals, 22 of whom were receiving treatment in intensive care. He said that the identification of the dead and injured was ongoing as many did not have identification cards and some were unconscious.
22 of the injured are said to be in critical condition, and the death toll is likely to rise further.
Meanwhile, firefighters brought the fire under control after about 30 minutes of operation. After the incident, scenes were seen of the interior of the pub being completely burnt to ashes.
Meanwhile, a special registration center has also been opened at the scene for those who have come to know the information of their family members and friends.
Singer Sukanya Wongwongwai, who was performing nearby at the time of the incident, said that one of her music group members has died and three are receiving treatment in the hospital. The other is still missing.
“The power went out immediately after the fire broke out. No one could identify anyone because there was thick smoke everywhere,” she said.
Such tragedies are not new in Thailand
In 2022, 14 people died in a fire at a music pub in eastern Thailand. Before that, on January 1, 2009, a fire caused by an indoor fireworks display at the Santika nightclub in Bangkok during New Year’s celebrations killed 66 people and injured more than 200.