BANGKOK, Thailand — Fire swept through a high-class nightclub jammed with hundreds of New Year’s revelers early today, killing at least 59 people and injuring about 200, officials said.
A number of foreigners were among the casualties from the blaze that erupted shortly after midnight at the Santika Club in Bangkok’s entertainment district.
Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede to escape from the club, which had only one door for the public, police Maj. Gen. Chokchai Deeprasertwit said.
Firefighters said a door at the rear was known only to the staff.
Video footage of the disaster showed bloodied, bruised and burned victims being dragged out of the burning club or managing to run through the door or shattered windows. The video showed flames racing through the entire building even as the rescue operation was going on.
The Narenthorn Emergency Center, which was coordinating relief efforts, said 59 people died, with eight of the bodies burned beyond recognition, and another 203 were injured. Police said that among the injured were nationals of Australia, Nepal, Japan and the Netherlands.
Most of the victims were confirmed dead at the club, but at least one person died at a hospital.
The Santika Club has two stories and a basement. Chokchai said the fire may have been caused by firecrackers brought into the club by guests or sparks flying from a New Year’s countdown display on the nightclub stage. Police said initial investigation found that the club’s safety system was “sub-standard” but did not elaborate.
The club was packed with about 1,000 revelers, according to police officers who declined to be named because they were not authorized to speak to the press. Most of the bodies were found in the basement of the club, which attracts a well-heeled crowd of Thais and foreigners, rescuers said. The corpses, placed in white body bags, were laid out in the parking lot in front of the club.
Emergency workers said rescue efforts were delayed because of heavy holiday traffic in the Ekamai entertainment district and the large number of cars at the club.
Firefighter Watcharapong Sri-saard said that in addition to a lack of exits, bars across the club’s second-floor windows made escape difficult.
