Tragedy in Bangkok: 27 dead after fire engulfs bar-restaurant

A serious tragedy struck the Thai capital, Bangkok, after a devastating fire engulfed a bar-restaurant on Sunday night. The latest toll reports 27 lives lost and dozens of others injured.

The incident occurred at the venue “Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao”, located in the busy Chatuchak area. According to official sources, the flames broke out near the stage and within moments covered the entire space. Witnesses said the electricity cut off immediately and the room filled with black smoke, causing chaos and fear among customers.

Videos circulating on social platforms show people struggling to escape the flames, some with their clothes on fire. Firefighters arrived at the scene just after midnight and brought the situation under control within about half an hour.

During inspections, most of the bodies were discovered inside one of the bar’s restrooms, where it is thought victims had hidden in an attempt to find safety. Of the 27 people who lost their lives, 18 were women and 9 were men. Meanwhile, more than 60 people are receiving medical care in hospitals, 22 of them in serious condition.

Initial investigations indicate that a defect in an air conditioning unit may have been the source of the flames, but authorities remain cautious and await the completion of expert analysis to confirm the final cause. The director of the Bangkok Disaster Management Department said smoke asphyxiation is suspected to be the main cause of death.

The Bangkok governor’s statements stressed that decorative materials on the ceiling, which were easily flammable, may have sped up the fire’s spread. He also added that the bodies of several people were found unconscious near the emergency door, raising suspicion that it might have been blocked. This point will also be investigated further.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, inspected the scene of the tragedy. He shared the testimony of a musician who was on stage, who stated that an explosion was heard first, after which people tried to avoid the smoke. Some, instead of heading to the exit, retreated to the back of the building and were trapped in the restrooms.

As a result of this incident, the venue has been ordered closed for 30 days and a full investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances. The Thai government has also pledged financial support for both the families of the deceased and the injured who are in hospital care.

Thailand has a painful history with fires in enclosed spaces. In 2022, another nightlife spot south of Bangkok was engulfed in flames, killing 22 people. The biggest tragedy remains New Year’s Eve 2009, when a club in the capital caught fire and 66 individuals lost their lives.