An explosion and fire at a crowded pub in Bangkok killed 27 people and injured 63 others, authorities said on Monday, as investigators examined whether negligence and fire safety failures contributed to the deadly incident.
The blaze erupted around midnight on Sunday at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in northern Bangkok. Videos verified by Reuters showed thick smoke pouring from the venue before a massive burst of flames shot through a doorway as panicked patrons fled.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, said many victims were unable to find a safe way out.
“Most of the victims ran to the back of the building, into the bathroom, and there was no clear sign of a fire exit,” he said.
According to Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of Bangkok’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, 22 of the 63 injured remain in critical condition.
Initial findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit in a ceiling air conditioner, while police are also investigating reports of blocked emergency exits, overloaded electrical wiring and the use of flammable materials during renovations.
National Police Chief Kittiratt Phanphet said investigators are treating negligence as the leading line of inquiry.
“At this time, police have established negligence as the primary theory guiding their investigation,” he told reporters.