Bangkok nightclub fire leaves at least 27 dead and several injured

At least 27 people have died and dozens more have been injured after a fire swept through a popular pub in Bangkok, Thai officials said, making it one of the deadliest nightclub fires in the country in recent years.

According to Reuters, 63 people were taken to hospital, with 22 of them in critical condition. The blaze broke out shortly before midnight on Sunday at the Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao pub in Bangkok's Chatuchak district.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene, said: "We have recovered 27 bodies, others are being sent to hospital."

Based on survivor accounts, he said the venue quickly filled with smoke after the fire started, forcing many people towards the rear of the building near the toilets, where there were no fire escapes.

Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of Bangkok's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, told Reuters: "The number ‌of deaths has stabilized at 27."

He added that investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said the pub had the required permits and fire exits, but the fire spread rapidly and heavy smoke may have prevented customers from escaping.

A band member who survived the incident told local media: "After the explosion I didn't see anybody trying to run, most of them were on the floor asking for help."

Police and forensic teams are continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire.