At least 19 dead in fire at hotel casino on Cambodia border

A massive fire at a Cambodian hotel casino has injured over 60 people and killed at least 19.

Neighbouring Thailand sent fire appliances to help fight the blaze in the bustling border region.

Some victims were believed to still be under debris or in locked rooms that rescue teams could not access, so the death toll was expected to rise, said Sek Sokhom, head of Banteay Meanchey’ province’s information department.

He said more than 60 people were injured.

Videos posted on social media showed people apparently jumping from windows after they were trapped by the fire at the Grand Diamond City Casino and Hotel in the border town of Poipet.

The video showed at least one man falling as the flames reached the roof.

“Oh, please help rescue them. Pump water, pump water,” shouted the onlookers.

Thailand’s public broadcaster reported dozens of Thais were trapped inside.

The blaze, which started at about midnight on Wednesday, was put out over 12 hours later on Thursday, said Sek Sokhom.

He said the cause of the blaze was not known. The casino employed about 400 people.

Thai PBS reported that 50 Thais, both staff and customers, had been trapped inside the complex.

Thai and Cambodian rescue teams worked side by side in Thursday’s search of the premises, but paused efforts at the dangerously damaged site as night fell.

Poipet in western Cambodia is opposite the more affluent Thai city of Aranyaprathet, and there is busy cross-border trade and tourism.

Thai PBS cited reports that the Aranyaprathet Hospital’s emergency ward was full and other victims had to be sent to other hospitals.