Death toll from Cambodia's casino fire jumps to 27

By Anadolu Agency Staff

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least 27 people are confirmed dead and 112 others injured in Thursday’s casino fire in Cambodia’s border town of Poipet, officials said on Saturday.

Authorities in Poipet city in the western Banteay Meanchey province, along the border with Thailand, said of the 112 injured, 27 are still hospitalized in the border town of Aranyaprathet and the rest have been discharged, Thai PBS television reported.

There were more than 400 employees in the casino when the fire engulfed the 17-story Grand Diamond City hotel-casino.

The cause of the fire is suspected to be an electric short circuit as the building was heavily illuminated in view of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“It is believed that some of the victims had jumped to their deaths while others broke their legs during the fire,” according to the daily Khmer Times.