By Kenny Teng
BANGKOK, July 15 (Bernama) -- The death toll from Monday night's fire at a bar in Bangkok's Lat Phrao district has risen to 32 after two critically injured victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital, Thai authorities said on Wednesday.
The Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre, better known as the Erawan Centre, said the latest fatalities occurred at Paolo Kaset Hospital and Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, bringing the number of victims who died after being hospitalised to five.
“Two Thai victims injured in Monday's fire at the bar died at Paolo Kaset Hospital and Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital respectively," the centre said in a statement.
As of 10 am on Wednesday, 79 people had been injured in the blaze. Of these, 44 had been discharged from hospital, while 30 remained hospitalised, including 15 in intensive care units (ICUs) and 15 in general wards, according to the Erawan Centre.
Following the tragedy, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday ordered the Ministry of Interior to conduct nationwide inspections of buildings and entertainment venues in coordination with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, local administrative organisations, the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, the Royal Thai Police and other relevant agencies.
The fire broke out shortly before midnight on Monday at Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, an entertainment venue in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.
Thai authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze, with blocked emergency exits, flammable interior materials and possible electrical faults among the key areas of inquiry.
-- BERNAMA