A fire that broke out inside a bar in a suburb of Bangkok, the Thai capital, claimed the lives of at least 27 people and injured dozens more on Sunday night (local time), according to Thai authorities and video footage verified by Agence France-Presse.

“The fire spread very quickly and reached the roof. Smoke was likely the main cause of the deaths,” the city’s governor, Chansa Sitipad, explained to the press.

He reported 27 deaths and 63 injured who had to be admitted to hospitals, 22 of whom were in critical condition, adding that an investigation into the tragedy is underway.

Insane visuals of the massive fire at a Bangkok restaurant that has killed at least 30 people so far. The exact cause of the fire is unclear at this time. Many injured are in nearby hospitals. #Thailand pic.twitter.com/bFdgLgvfgp

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 12, 2026

Some of the victims were found near the emergency exit, which has led authorities to suspect that it was blocked or locked, according to him.

This morning, an AFP reporter saw numerous body bags in front of the bar-restaurant in the Bangkok area, along with dozens of emergency responders.

A tourist from Laos, Kan Koutirat, told the French News Agency that he heard “screams coming from inside,” adding that “chaos reigned.” In a video he shared on Facebook, one can see patrons, some with their clothes on fire, running out in a panic, while flames burst—with terrifying intensity—from the bar’s door.

The tourist explained that he was heading out for a drink around 10:00 p.m. (local time; 6:00 p.m. Cyprus time) when he noticed smoke coming out of the bar.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY / SENSITIVE VIDEO:

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Horrifying scenes show people fleeing the venue as flames spread, with reports of some individuals escaping while their clothes were on fire.

Authorities are investigating the deadly incident. #Thailand #Bangkok #Fire #BreakingNews… https://t.co/l2Tw93R57F pic.twitter.com/YZ2iKRXWm8

— Rosa News Official (@Mirha1206) July 12, 2026

Musicians at the scene said they saw “smoke coming from a switch near the stage” before “the power went out and an explosion occurred,” said Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who rushed to the scene.

The enforcement of safety regulations—especially fire safety regulations—which are far too lax in establishments such as bars and nightclubs—has been a cause for concern for years in this Southeast Asian country.

In 2022, 25 people lost their lives in a fire at a nightclub in the eastern province of Chonburi.

And in 2009, a fire at a club in Bangkok during New Year’s celebrations claimed the lives of 67 people and injured more than 200 others.

Source: KYPE