Death Toll in a Casino Fire in Poipet Much Lower Than a Claim

One day after a casino fire broke out in Poipet – a town along the western Cambodia-Thailand border, a viral claim on social media yesterday said over 200 people were killed in the incident as of December 29. The claim has been widely shared along with comments and reactions from Khmer-speaking social media users. However, after reviewing reports circulated by local and international media, it found the claim is false.

Social Media Claim

A Facebook user claimed yesterday that the death toll in a casino fire that broke out on Wednesday night in Poipet city rose to more than 200 as of 29 December.

The claim has been widely shared, commented and reacted to by Khmer-speaking social media users.

Below is the capture of the claim that said, “The death toll in casino fire in Poipet is up to more than 200. 29/12/2022”

Fact Check

Fact Crescendo Cambodia began an investigation into the claim by reviewing the death toll reported by local and international media, which led us to find the truth below.

A casino, Grand Diamond City, located in Poipet town along the Cambodia-Thailand border, was in a fire on Wednesday night, and the fire continued until Thursday morning. Many people were reportedly killed and injured in the fire.

The Voice of America in Khmer said in its report yesterday that at least 19 people were killed in the fire but said the death toll would rise as many people are still missing. Please read VOA’s report here.

The English media BBC also said the same death toll in its report yesterday, adding 400 employees works in the casino, attracting many Thai guests.

On Thursday, international broadcasting quoted Sek Sokkhom – Ban,teay Meanchey provincial director of information. The official added that the rescue team was searching for victims who were trapped in the fire. For more detail on BBC’s report, please read here.

This death toll was also reported by CBS News, Sky News, and The Guardian yesterday.

The American broadcasting CNN reported Friday morning that the number of people killed in the casino fire in Cambodia rose to 24, and another 70 were injured. The media quoted Sek Sokkhom.

Then, Reuters said in its report late Friday that the death toll was up to 27, and another 20 people were missing. The newswire service quoted the same official. Please read the Reuters’ full report here or archived link here.

The operation to search for victims was closed on Friday evening, 39 hours after the fire broke out, according to the latest report by a pro-government media, Fresh News, quoted Banteay Meanchey Governor Om Reatrey.

The media said in its report that 26 people were killed in the fire, and 57 were injured; all are foreigners—the full report here or archived here.

However, Fact Crescendo Cambodia will update the latest death toll information after the official conclusion.

Conclusion

Fact Crescendo Cambodia found out the claim mentioned earlier is false. Reports by local media and international broadcastings give the death toll in the casino fire in Poipet less than 30, and 57 people were injured as of Friday evening.