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Nightclub fire tragedy - owner on charges
Source: Agencies |
January 5, 2009, Monday
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THE owner of a Thai nightclub where at least 62 revelers perished in a New Year's Eve fire will face criminal charges over the blaze, which was probably caused by a countdown fireworks display on the stage of the jammed nightspot, police said yesterday.
Wisuth Setsawat, a Thai-Chinese businessman, broke down in tears as he offered apologies to relatives of the victims yesterday before being questioned by police over the disaster at his Santika Club.
The fire raced through the two-story building with victims succumbing to the blaze, smoke inhalation and injuries from a stampede as hundreds of revelers tried to escape through a single main door.
Police General Jongrak Jutanont said yesterday that Wisuth would be charged with carelessness leading to the deaths of others. He has already been charged with allowing in an underage customer, a 17-year-old high school student who was among the dead.
"More investigations will follow to pinpoint everyone who is responsible for this," the police officer told reporters, adding that more than 100 witnesses have already been interviewed.
Earlier, police said 13 people were to be questioned including Wisuth, the managers of his White and Brothers Co, and staffers of a company hired to put on the countdown fireworks display on the stage of the Santika Club, which Jongrak said probably sparked the blaze.
The death toll rose by one to 62 yesterday with 31 others in a critical condition having sustained burns over 70 percent of their bodies, according to the Narenthorn Emergency Center.
Accompanied by his lawyer and friends, Wisuth reported to police yesterday afternoon after failing to show up at the station on Saturday. He denied fleeing, saying he has suffered from smoke inhalation after the fire started.
"I'd like to apologize to the relatives for the dead people and the injured," Wisuth said. He broke into tears as he continued talking. According to his lawyer, the club's business partners have decided to set up a fund to help those affected by the tragedy.
Wisuth Setsawat, a Thai-Chinese businessman, broke down in tears as he offered apologies to relatives of the victims yesterday before being questioned by police over the disaster at his Santika Club.
The fire raced through the two-story building with victims succumbing to the blaze, smoke inhalation and injuries from a stampede as hundreds of revelers tried to escape through a single main door.
Police General Jongrak Jutanont said yesterday that Wisuth would be charged with carelessness leading to the deaths of others. He has already been charged with allowing in an underage customer, a 17-year-old high school student who was among the dead.
"More investigations will follow to pinpoint everyone who is responsible for this," the police officer told reporters, adding that more than 100 witnesses have already been interviewed.
Earlier, police said 13 people were to be questioned including Wisuth, the managers of his White and Brothers Co, and staffers of a company hired to put on the countdown fireworks display on the stage of the Santika Club, which Jongrak said probably sparked the blaze.
The death toll rose by one to 62 yesterday with 31 others in a critical condition having sustained burns over 70 percent of their bodies, according to the Narenthorn Emergency Center.
Accompanied by his lawyer and friends, Wisuth reported to police yesterday afternoon after failing to show up at the station on Saturday. He denied fleeing, saying he has suffered from smoke inhalation after the fire started.
"I'd like to apologize to the relatives for the dead people and the injured," Wisuth said. He broke into tears as he continued talking. According to his lawyer, the club's business partners have decided to set up a fund to help those affected by the tragedy.
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