A tragic fire at a music bar in Bangkok has taken the lives of 30 individuals, according to officials’ reports on Tuesday. The incident resulted in over 70 injuries, with 24 people remaining in critical condition.
The fire erupted late Sunday at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar, the deadliest in the Thai capital in nearly two decades. It took firefighters half an hour to extinguish the blaze.
The music bar advertised itself as a brewery capable of hosting up to 600 patrons, though the number in attendance on Sunday night is currently unknown. Investigations are ongoing to determine the fire’s origin and assess the bar’s adherence to safety regulations.
Police reported that many victims were discovered trapped in windowless bathrooms, likely attempting to escape the intense flames.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced plans to conduct a thorough review of similar establishments to evaluate safety risks. The city plans to enhance legal enforcement to improve existing safety standards.
Mourners, including former bar-goers, gathered at the site on Tuesday to pay their respects. They joined a growing collection of flowers and handwritten notes in various languages, including Korean and Thai, expressing sympathies to the victims’ families. Debris such as damaged musical instruments and charred furniture were placed outside for investigation.
University student Thanakon Phoklang expressed his sorrow while visiting the location, describing the loss as deeply regrettable.
Amorn Pimanmas, head of the Thailand Structural Engineers Association, addressed reporters, highlighting potential fire hazard factors. He pointed out that the building’s design features, such as being enclosed and having low ceilings, may have aggravated the situation.
He stated that the use of foam materials without flame-resistant treatment, combined with inadequate ventilation, may have rapidly accumulated toxic smoke, leading to many fatalities.
Furthermore, Amorn highlighted that the bar’s license as a restaurant with a live music venue, rather than an entertainment venue, excluded it from stricter fire safety regulations.
Emphasizing the need for improved law enforcement, Amorn called for enhanced fire safety procedures, urging the government to address enforcement issues to prevent similar tragedies.
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