Survivors and relations of victims of a lethal bar fireplace in Bangkok visited a close-by police station on Wednesday to hunt compensation, collect belongings and share statements from the blaze.
The hearth, which broke out on Sunday night time, killed at the least 32 folks and left greater than 70 injured, 15 of whom are nonetheless in essential situation, in accordance with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
The reason for the fireplace on the Rong Beer Na Ladprao bar remains to be underneath investigation.
The general public who have been killed have been discovered trapped in windowless loos, the place they might have sought to flee the flames, police mentioned.
Wiroon Supasingsiripreecha, chief of the Institute of Forensic Medication, informed reporters Wednesday that a lot of the victims died from smoke inhalation, whereas just a few died from burn accidents.
Natthaphong Lakhorn, 26, was on the beer corridor on the night time of the fireplace with 4 companions. He was sitting close to the stage when the fireplace broke out.
He recounted seeing white smoke coming from the stage, which he at first thought was an impact from dry ice earlier than realizing it was the beginning of a fireplace.
“When the fireplace broke, I simply ran, after which all energy went out,” mentioned Natthaphong, who mentioned that certainly one of his companions, a relative, died within the fireplace. “It was so hectic.”
On Wednesday, Natthaphong went to the Phahonyothin Police Station in Bangkok to offer a press release. Photographs of non-public belongings, like smartphones, left behind the bar on the night time of fireside adorned the partitions.
Bandages lined each of Natthaphong’s ears and a part of his brow. Earlier than registering with the police, he mentioned that he plans to hunt compensation for these accidents.
Natthaphong mentioned he escaped via the again door of the bar close to the loos, and that there was a safety guard there who was utilizing a flashlight to steer folks out, contradicting experiences from police that the door was not used.
Kanticha Singkhon, 25, was on the police station to choose up a purse and different private belongings of her mom, who died within the fireplace.
Along with her mom gone, Kanticha mentioned she is now answerable for her youthful brother.
“I need them (the house owners of the bar) to be the one reaching out to the households. Somewhat than having us come to the police station ourselves as a result of they (relations of victims) could be going again to their hometowns by now,” she mentioned. “They gained’t have time, as a result of every sufferer got here from distant.”
A lawyer representing the bar house owners informed native media that survivors and relations will initially obtain 10,000 baht (roughly $300) in compensation.
“It’s not sufficient cash for a funeral — I needed to take a mortgage to rearrange my mother’s funeral,” Kanticha mentioned. “I’ve not had any monetary preparations, and nobody has contacted me.”
