A deadly fire tore through a casino complex in Poipet, a border town in Cambodia, leaving at least 19 people confirmed dead in the early hours of Thursday. The Grand Diamond City complex sits just about 200 meters from the Thai border, a location that has long been central to cross-border travel and entertainment.
Cambodian authorities reported that emergency teams recovered 19 bodies from inside the casino area as of Thursday, with authorities noting that some rooms remained inaccessible and could yield additional casualties as searches continued.
Early figures indicate a diverse mix of victims, including Cambodian, Thai, Malaysian, and Vietnamese nationals. The casualty profile reflects Poipet’s role as a regional hub where tourists and workers converge for commerce and gaming.
Officials confirmed a large number of injuries, with many patients being transferred to medical facilities across the border in Thailand, according to local media updates.
In a social media statement, health authorities in neighboring Sa Kaeo province urged local health centers to prepare for potential incoming patients, highlighting the cross-border nature of the incident and the shared health response.
Rescue operations faced significant challenges as teams combed through the structure’s debris. The building’s deteriorating condition complicated access and rapid extraction of victims.
Cambodian authorities traced the fire to the Grand Diamond City complex, with reports indicating it began around 11:30 PM local time on Wednesday. Fire services fought the blaze for more than nine hours before it was brought under control.
Investigators are examining the cause of the blaze and the sequence of events that allowed the fire to spread from the casino area into adjacent hotel sections, including pedestrian crossings that connected different parts of the facility.
The intensity and speed of the flames hindered evacuation efforts, prompting emergency crews and firefighters from neighboring Thailand to assist the Cambodian response during the night and early morning hours.
Kun Kim, the Deputy Chairman of Cambodia’s National Disaster Management Committee, indicated that hundreds of people were inside the complex at the time. He noted that some had been evacuated while others remained inside, but withheld exact figures as the operation continued.
Video footage shared by witnesses on social networks showed people on the roof of the building seeking escape, with some reportedly jumping to avoid the advancing flames. Other scenes captured survivors attempting to descend via emergency stairs or using makeshift ropes and sheets dangling from windows.
Emergency responders relied on helicopters to reach and evacuate individuals stranded on the roof, underscoring the scale of the response and the peril faced by those inside the complex.
Poipet serves as a key stop along the route between Siem Reap, a major gateway to Cambodia’s famed temples, and Thailand’s capital city. The town is known for a cluster of casinos near the border, attracting visitors from across the region. Gaming activities in the border area have long drawn attention from authorities and the public alike as cross-border movement and tourism sustain ongoing economic activity.