The fire in a hotel and casino in Cambodia was caused by an electrical short circuit
On Saturday, the Cambodian authorities attributed a massive fire that broke out in a hotel that includes a casino, killing 26 people and injuring more than 100 others, to an electrical short.
The fire broke out on the night of Wednesday to Thursday in an entertainment complex located in Poipet, a border city with Thailand.
"The accident was caused by an electric short circuit," said Kun Kim, deputy head of the National Disaster Management Committee.
More than 1,000 customers and about 500 employees were at the Grand Diamond City complex when the fire broke out.
Pictures taken during the fire showed people trapped on balconies or at windows to escape the flames, which reached a height of several meters.
Kim confirmed that 26 people, including 17 Thais in addition to a Malaysian and a Nepalese citizen, were killed in the fire.
"Some people died of burning, others due to lack of oxygen, and others burned and died while searching for exits," he added.
Kim said it took a long time to put out the fire, blaming the complex design of the hotel, as well as a lack of fire and rescue equipment.
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