2013 Thailand refugee camp fire

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2013 Thailand camp fire
Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand
Deaths37 [1]
Non-fatal injuries200
Property damage300–400 huts destroyed
2,300 people without shelter

On 22 March 2013, a fire at the Ban Mae Surin

Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand, killed 37 Karen refugees from neighbouring Myanmar, as well as destroying hundreds of dwellings. Thought to have started following a "cooking accident",[2] the fire began at around 16:00 local time (09:00 GMT), and extinguished around two hours later.[3] The fire had been spread by hot weather combined with strong winds.[4]

The current death toll for the fire is 37, comprising 21 men and 16 women.

suffocated.[5] The death toll had previously been reported to be as high as 62, though this was later revised.[6] Various sources have also reported "at least 100"[2] and "over 200" other injured people.[7]

The fire destroyed hundreds of makeshift bamboo huts at the camp, as well as the camp's medical clinic, hospital, and two food warehouses.

International Organisation for Migration, as well as other aid groups.[5]

Controversy

Eyewitnesses claim they saw a helicopter or airplane pass several times overhead before dropping 'sparks' onto the roofs of one of the sources of the fires.[10] The investigation found traces of phosphorus at the source of the fire, leading a police chief to claim it was not an accident.[10] The fire started simultaneously in Zone 1 and Zone 4, on opposite ends of the camps, leading some to suspect foul play[11] Additionally, a section leader in the camp reported that two living tents far from camp were simultaneously burned, leading the community to further suspect foul play.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b Camp to be rebuilt, death toll at 37 – Bangkok Post. Published 24 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Preliminary reports indicate a cooking accident triggered the blaze…" Kassim, Aliza (2013). Blaze kills dozens at refugee camp in Thailand - CNN. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  3. ^ Burma refugees die in Thailand camp fire – BBC News. Published 22 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  4. ^ '42 die in fire' in Thailand refugee camp Archived 2013-03-30 at the Wayback Machine – SBS World News Australia. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  5. ^ a b 35 die in fire at Karen refugee camp – Bangkok Post. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  6. ^ 62 Myanmar refugees perish in fire at Thailand camp – The Hindu. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  7. ^ Fire at Myanmar refugee camp in Thailand, 62 dead Archived 2013-04-10 at archive.today – CanIndia. Published 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  8. ^ "…the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Bureau said a school, clinic and two food warehouses had also been destroyed." Myanmar refugees killed in fire at Thai camp – Al Jazeera. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  9. ^ Biro, Peter (2013). IRC aiding survivors of deadly Thailand refugee camp fire Archived 2013-03-28 at the Wayback Machine – International Rescue Committee. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  10. ^ a b Refugees claim chopper dropped burning objects - Bangkok Post. Published 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
  11. ^ Karenni refugee camp fire video and interview with witness at 3:00. - Youtube. Published 27 March 2013
  12. ^ Interview with Section Leader in Camp 2 - Youtube. Published 27 March 2013

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