BANGKOK: Grieving families on Tuesday began claiming the bodies of victims from a deadly fire at a Bangkok bar, as the death toll from the disaster rose to 30, while relatives of missing people continued to hope their loved ones had survived.
The fire broke out late Sunday night at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao bar and restaurant in Thailand’s capital during a live music performance. Flames spread rapidly, forcing people to flee, with some escaping while their clothes were on fire.
Initially, 27 people were confirmed dead on Monday, while another victim later died from injuries. By Tuesday morning, Bangkok’s Chatuchak district office reported that the death toll had climbed to 30, with 75 others injured, including 24 in critical condition.
Relatives gathered at Police General Hospital to identify and collect the remains of their loved ones. Coffins carrying the victims were taken away by ambulances to be transported to their home provinces for funerals.
Many families struggled to come to terms with their sudden losses. Nuttakarn “Mint” Sevoy, who came to collect the body of her childhood friend Top Sarobol, said the family was relieved his identity could be confirmed, as his body was not severely burned.
However, she said his grandmother was devastated, saying she had expected her grandson to attend her funeral one day, not the other way around.
Another relative, Jarunee Phosawad, travelled from eastern Thailand to arrange the cremation of her cousin Kochaporn Sotharat. She described her as a joyful person and expressed concern for Kochaporn’s young daughter, who was left without her mother.
Meanwhile, some families were still searching for missing loved ones. Booyaporn Sermsiri, whose 25-year-old daughter Jarawee “Cartoon” Sermsiri remains missing, said she was holding onto hope and praying for her daughter’s safety.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, examining possible electrical faults and whether blocked emergency exits contributed to the high number of deaths.
Witnesses said smoke appeared inside the venue before midnight, followed by a power outage, an explosion and rapidly spreading flames that trapped many customers.
Survivors and relatives later returned to the damaged bar to pay tribute to those who died. Usa Tadsri, 40, survived the blaze but lost two friends who were with her that night.
“We were only looking to enjoy ourselves, but we ended up trapped in a disaster,” she said.
Authorities continue to investigate the tragedy as families mourn the victims and await answers about how the fire became so deadly.
