A fire broke out in a nightclub in Chonburi province, south-eastern Thailand, leaving at least 14 people dead and over 40 others injured.
According to authorities, the fire broke out at 01:00 local time on Friday (18:00 GMT on Thursday) at the Mountain B nightclub in the Sattahip neighborhood.
People can be heard screaming as they leave, some with their clothing on fire.
Rescuers speculate that flammable materials on the walls may have contributed to the fire’s spread.
The venue in Chonburi, a province 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Bangkok, was a 4,800-square-metre, single-story structure (51,660 square feet).
Local media said that firefighters fought for more than two hours to get the fire under control. The fire reportedly broke out during a live music performance at the venue, according to the mother of one of the deceased artists.
The majority of the victims’ bodies were discovered near the entrance and in the facilities. Others were discovered close to the DJ booth.
To date, all victims are thought to be Thai citizens.
Officials from the Sawang Rojanathammasathan Rescue Foundation speculated that flammable acoustic foam on the walls of the club may have expedited the fire’s spread.
Friday, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha ordered an investigation into the fire and announced that the relatives of the victims will receive assistance from the government. In addition, he asked entertainment venues around the nation to have sufficient emergency exits and safety precautions.
Officials reported that the restaurant had been converted into a nightclub and was likely operating without permission.
This is not the first time a nightclub in Thailand has experienced a fatal fire.
In the early hours of New Year’s Day in 2009, a fire at the Santika Club in Bangkok killed more than 60 people. In 2011, two individuals, including the club’s owner, were incarcerated.
And in 2012, a fire at a nightclub in Phuket, a famous tourist destination in Thailand, claimed the lives of four individuals and injured over a dozen others.
