At least 27 people have been killed in a fire that tore through a bar in Bangkok, Thailand’s prime minister has said.
Firefighters were called to the scene just after midnight and discovered patrons fleeing through the flame-enveloped front door of the venue.
Footage posted on X shows flames blasting out of the bar as people run out, some screaming, and some falling over. At least two people appear to be on fire.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told journalists at the scene that 27 bodies have been recovered, and others have been taken to hospital. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, he said.
The prime minister told reporters that he asked a musician, who was performing when the fire started, what happened.
“He said that there was a fire at the cut-out switch, and after that things happened very quickly. There was blasting and everybody tried to flee from the smoke and flames.
“Many of them were not able to make their way out because they went to the back of the building and tried to hide themselves from the smoke and flames in the toilet, and that’s where we found most of the bodies.”
The bar – named locally as Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao – is located in the Chatuchak District of Bangkok. It is a popular restaurant and entertainment venue in the area, Thai outlet the Daily News reported, external.
Firefighters were reportedly able to bring the flames under control in about half an hour.
Pictures from inside the bar afterwards show it completely charred and blackened, with the ceiling peeling off.
A number of people are still missing, Thai outlet Thairath reported, external.
Firefighters arrived at the scene just after midnight, reportedly after a passing driver saw the venue on fire at 23:30 local time.
He told the Daily News that he leapt out of his car and broke windows to help two people escape.
