Poipet in western Cambodia is a site of busy cross-border trade and tourism opposite the city of Aranyaprathet in more affluent Thailand.Ĭasinos are illegal in Thailand. It cited reports that the emergency ward in Aranyaprathet Hospital on the Thai side of the border was full and some victims had to be sent to other hospitals. Thailand’s public television network, Thai PBS, reported that 50 Thais, both staff and customers, had been trapped inside the casino complex. Thai and Cambodian rescue teams worked side by side in Thursday's search of the premises, but paused efforts their searched efforts at the dangerously damaged site as night fell. Even we all (the rescue staff) have to wear proper gear when we go inside the building, otherwise we cannot breathe at all,' said Montri Khaosa-ard, a staff member of Thailand Ruamkatanyu Foundation, a social welfare organization that sends volunteers to disaster scenes. I don’t think there will be any survivors because of very thick smoke. 'Right now, we are trying to bring the dead bodies from the building down. It was unclear how many were present when the fire broke out. The Grand Diamond City casino complex has 500 employees, and had 1,000 customers Wednesday, according to a report from Soth Kimkolmony, a spokesperson for Cambodia’s National Committee for Disaster Management. (Photo by LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA/AFP via Getty Images) The dead and injured comprised people of several nationalities, including Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Cambodian, he said.Ī local Buddhist temple was being used to receive their bodies.Ī man points next to a destroyed part of the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino following a major fire in Poipet on Dec. Many of those inside, both customers and staff, were from neighboring Thailand, which sent firetrucks and emergency workers Thursday to help cope with the crisis in the bustling border town.Īn initial investigation found that the fire may have been caused New Year’s holiday decorations drawing too much electricity, causing wires to overheat and burn, Sek Sokhom said.

'The fire was massive, and was inside the casino, so it was difficult for our water cannons to reach it,' said a firefighter in the video posted online by the fire department. Hands and even a mobile phone's flashlight were seen waving from windows inside the complex. emanating from rooms on the 13th, 14th and 15th floors. The Department of Fire Prevention, Extinguishing and Rescue said it heard calls for help at 4 a.m. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

A major fire burns through the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet on Dec.

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