22 of 63 injured in Bangkok pub fire in critical condition

Twenty-two of the 63 people injured in a deadly pub fire in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, late Sunday, remained in critical condition, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said Monday.



Speaking to local media after inspecting the fire scene, Chadchart said firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the emergency call, but the blaze had already spread rapidly inside the pub upon their arrival.



The fire has killed 27 people and injured 63 others, with 22 in critical condition requiring intubation, he said.



Chadchart said only six of the 27 victims had been formally identified so far, adding that the immediate priority was to contact the families of the deceased and injured.



Local media reported that rescuers found a number of mobile phones at the scene. Many of the phones continued to receive calls from relatives and friends, which rescuers answered and documented to help identify victims and notify their families.



Regarding the cause of the fire, survivors told local media that thick smoke was first seen coming from a circuit breaker near the stage. The power then went out, followed by an explosion, after which the flames spread rapidly.