It is reported that Thai emergency services were also involved in extinguishing the fire and evacuating the injured. Many of the victims were taken to hospitals in the neighboring Thai province of Sa Keo.
Nhem Feng, Poipet’s chief of staff, told reporters that more than 400 people, mostly Thais, were trapped inside the casino. He also added that most of the dead are employees of the institution.
Banteay Meanchey Provincial Police Chief Major General Siti Loh said many of the injured were in critical condition. She also said that 360 emergency workers and 11 units of fire equipment are working at the site.
The fire, which spread to the neighboring 17-story building, was put out only at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Poipet is popular with residents of neighboring Thailand, where almost all types of gambling are prohibited, due to the abundance of casinos located near the border. The city is also a major transportation hub between Bangkok and the Cambodian regional center of Siem Reap.
