PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — At least 10 people were killed and 30 others injured in a fire at a Cambodian hotel casino, police said Thursday, and neighboring Thailand sent fire trucks to help battle the blazes in a bustling border region.
Videos posted on social media showed people apparently jumping out of windows after being trapped by fire at the Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel in the border city of Poipet. Thailand’s public broadcaster reported that dozens of Thais were trapped inside.
The fire that started around midnight Wednesday was still burning Thursday morning.
At least 10 people were killed and 30 others injured, some seriously, said Maj. Gen. Sithi Loh, the police chief in Banteay Meanchey province.
It said 360 emergency personnel and 11 fire trucks were dispatched to the scene and rescue teams were searching for the victims.
Sithi Loh said the cause of the fire is still unknown. The casino employed about 400 workers.
Thai PBS reported that 50 Thais, both employees and customers, were trapped inside the casino complex. He reported that the Cambodian authorities requested help to deal with the fire from Thailand, which sent five fire trucks and 10 rescue vans.
Poipet, in western Cambodia, faces the more prosperous Thai city of Aranyaprathet, and there is much cross-border trade and tourism.
Thai PBS cited reports that the Aranyaprathet Hospital emergency room was full and other victims had to be referred to other hospitals.