Fire Seizes Border Casino in Cambodia, Leaves At Least 16 Dead

Local authorities rushed to the scene, attempting to put out the blaze at the Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino in Poipet, with many people still reported missing. The fire broke out at 11:30 pm local time.

According to CNN, at least 58 more people are unaccounted for, and the death toll may rise. Rescue workers have been working round-the-clock to recover and assist any survivors in the past hours. Horrific scenes emerged on social media with people attempting to escape the fire by jumping out of windows.

Fiery Inferno Engulfs Entire Complex

At least two people died because of trying to avoid the flames by jumping out of a window. A total of 700 Thai citizens were saved over the past hours, media reports said. The fire was able to spread quickly due to poor weather conditions, including gusts of winds that spurred the fires, helping it engulf the entire building.

Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Commissioner Maj. Gen. Sithi Loh said that a total of 300 police officers and 11 fire trucks have been dispatched to fight the fire. The property and its adjacent amenities collectively employ 400 workers. At least 50 people were trapped in the initial blaze as confirmed by multiple sources, but their status is still unknown.

Sources also told CNN that the fire may have started in one of the restaurants on the lower floors. Some guests and staffers tried to reach the roof, hoping that authorities could set up a crane to help them descend back to the ground. The total number of guests is still unknown although the rescue numbers continue to climb.

Emergency personnel from both Cambodia and Thailand is still said to be on the site of the fire with at least 360 people involved in the rescue.