At least 27 people were killed after a massive fire engulfed a popular pub in Bangkok on Sunday night, marking one of the deadliest fire incidents in the Thai capital in recent years.
Scores of others were injured, with at least 22 reported to be in critical condition. Officials said many of the victims were found in restrooms at the back of the pub, where they had apparently sought refuge from the flames.
Videos shared on social media showed the Na Ladprao pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke pouring from the building as people rushed to escape.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, confirmed that 27 bodies had been recovered. Authorities are still working to identify the victims.
Speaking at the site, Charnvirakul said the fire spread rapidly, filling the pub with dense smoke. Many people fled toward the back of the venue near the restrooms, but the building reportedly lacked emergency fire exits, trapping those unable to escape.
The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said firefighters found that the blaze, believed to have started near the front stage area, had already spread extensively by the time emergency responders arrived, leaving much of the venue engulfed.
A band member at the venue told local media that smoke suddenly filled the room after the lights briefly went out, followed by a massive explosion and fire.
"After the explosion I didn't see anybody trying to run, most of them were on the floor asking for help," he told reporters.
According to a Reuters report, emergency personnel remained at the scene in the early hours of the morning as bodies were prepared for transport and forensic teams collected evidence to help identify the victims.
