Seven Thai nationals remained missing yesterday after a huge fire killed 26 at a casino just over the border in Cambodia, according to Thai authorities.
The bodies of 19 Thais have been repatriated home after the blaze broke out last week at the Grand Diamond hotel-casino located in Poipet, according to Thawatchai Boonsang, a senior Thai official in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province.
Poipet authorities announced a final toll of 26 killed and more than 100 injured. Of the 26 deceased, 17 were Thai, one Chinese, one Nepali and one Malaysian, according to The Phnom Penh Post. The other six have yet to be identified due to the severity of their injuries.
Seven others were still missing, Thawatchai said.
The majority of the deceased were over 60. Their bodies were discovered in their bedrooms. Both Cambodian teams and Thai rescuers brought in to help have called off the search.
The building employed hundreds of workers and hosted many Thai guests.
An electrical problem is suspected to have caused the fire, but the authorities have not yet officially determined the cause.
