PHNOM PENH

Cambodia Hotel Fire:  The death toll from a massive fire at a casino complex on the Cambodia-Thailand border has risen to 24, CNN reported on Friday, citing local officials.

However, many people are still missing since the fire broke out at the Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino in Poipet.

CNN quoted Sek Sokhom, a spokesman for the Cambodian province of Banteay Sake, as saying the hotel used an electrical system for rooms and elevators, so when the fire broke out and the building lost power, many guests were trapped in their rooms and Couldn’t escape Like Meenchi is saying.

He said the cause of the fire was unknown and the Cambodian government had set up a committee to investigate.

In particular, Poipet, a transport hub between Bangkok, Thailand and Siem Reap, Cambodia, is famous for its many casinos and is home to a large Thai population working in the city’s gaming sector. Since almost all forms of gambling are banned in Thailand, many Thais cross the border to participate in legal gambling.