Thai and Cambodian rescue teams recovered ten more bodies from the burnt-out 17-storey Grand Diamond City hotel and casino this morning (Friday).

The casino caught fire early yesterday morning, which reportedly started in the kitchen on the ground floor, where many of the Thai staff were working. It burned for about seven hours before being brought under control with the help of several fire trucks sent from Thailand’s Aranyaprathet district.

The remains of ten Thais, who were recovered earlier, were brought back to Aranyaprathet this morning, to be claimed by their relatives.

The Social Security Office in Bangkok has instructed its officials in Sa Kaeo Province to find out whether any of the dead or injured in the fire in Cambodia’s Poipet township are covered by the social security scheme. Four of the dead were found to be covered, but their remains are still in Cambodia, Social Security Office Secretary-General Boonsong Thapchaiyuth said today.

He said that he has instructed social security officials in Sa Kaeo to approach the families of the deceased to explain their social security benefit entitlements.

He also said that the injured, who are covered by the social security scheme, are entitled to receive medical treatment in hospitals free of charge and can claim compensation for loss of income, up to 50% of their salary for up to 90 days, once there is a certification from the hospital doctors of their hospitalisation.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service