Thai forensic police officers on Monday examine a Bangkok pub that was the location of a fire that has killed 30 people. Photo by Rungroj Yongrit/EPA
The death toll from a fatal fire that ripped through a Bangkok pub early Monday rose to 30, officials said Tuesday morning as the investigation into the blaze continues.
The fire at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district erupted at 12:02 a.m. local time Monday, wrecking much of the establishment with many people inside.
Authorities initially said 27 people were killed, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced in a statement Tuesday that three more victims had died.
Three of the deceased were still undergoing identification, it said, adding that of the 75 people injured in the blaze, 36 have been discharged from the hospital.
Of those who remain hospitalized, 24 — including 13 women and 11 men — were classified as being in serious condition and 15 were listed as being in moderate condition. All those who suffered minor injuries have been discharged, it said.
The department said a fact-finding committee has been established to review regulations for potential deficiencies and officials have been instructed to conduct inspections of businesses without prior notice.
Investigators continue to probe the cause of the blaze and suspect an electrical fault.
Officials have said that most of the fatalities were caused by smoke inhalation and that the fire appears to have started near a circuit breaker on the restaurant’s stage.
The Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub has issued its “deepest apologies” for the incident on its Facebook page, saying its owner was among those seriously injured and was receiving medical care in a hospital intensive care unit.
It said that it was collecting all relevant information and evidence and was cooperating with police and relevant government agencies.
“The establishment confirms that it will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities, make every effort to assist and coordinate with those affected and provide periodic updates through its official communication channel,” it said.
