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2013 Thailand refugee camp fire
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Burmese refugee camp conflagration
2013 Thailand camp fire Thailand 150 19.288056 97.964444 Ban Mae Surin 22 March 2013 09:00 GMT Ban Mae Surin refugee camp, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand 37 Camp to be rebuilt, death toll at 37 – Bangkok Post. Published 24 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. 200 300–400 huts destroyed2,300 people without shelter
On 22 March 2013, a fire at the Ban Mae Surin refugee camp in 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","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. the fire began at around 16:00 local time (09:00 GMT), and extinguished around two hours later.Burma refugees die in Thailand camp fire – BBC News. Published 22 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. The fire had been spread by hot weather combined with strong winds.'42 die in fire' in Thailand refugee camp https://web.archive.org/web/20130330015323/http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1749594/42-die-in-fire-in-Thailand-refugee-camp 2013-03-30 – SBS World News Australia. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
The current death toll for the fire is 37, comprising 21 men and 16 women. Of these, 35 were killed directly, while two others died in the following days. The majority of victims were burned to death, while others were suffocated.35 die in fire at Karen refugee camp – Bangkok Post. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. The death toll had previously been reported to be as high as 62, though this was later revised.62 Myanmar refugees perish in fire at Thailand camp – The Hindu. Published 23 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. Various sources have also reported "at least 100" and "over 200" other injured people.Fire at Myanmar refugee camp in Thailand, 62 dead https://archive.today/20130410164448/http://canindia.com/2013/03/fire-at-myanmar-refugee-camp-in-thailand-62-dead/ 2013-04-10 – CanIndia. Published 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013.
The fire destroyed hundreds of makeshift bamboo huts at the camp, as well as the camp's medical clinic, hospital, and two food warehouses."...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. At least 2,300 people were left without shelter following the fire, and were subsequently accommodated in tents.Biro, Peter (2013). IRC aiding survivors of deadly Thailand refugee camp fire https://web.archive.org/web/20130328074618/http://www.rescue.org/blog/irc-aiding-survivors-deadly-thailand-refugee-camp-fire 2013-03-28 – International Rescue Committee. Retrieved 25 March 2013. Food, shelter, and clothing is being provided by the International Rescue Committee, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Jesuit Refugee Service, and the International Organization for Migration, as well as other aid groups.
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.Refugees claim chopper dropped burning objects - Bangkok Post. Published 25 March 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2013. The investigation found traces of phosphorus at the source of the fire, leading a police chief to claim it was not an accident. The fire started simultaneously in Zone 1 and Zone 4, on opposite ends of the camps, leading some to suspect foul playKarenni refugee camp fire video and interview with witness at 3:00. - Youtube. Published 27 March 2013 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.Interview with Section Leader in Camp 2 - Youtube. Published 27 March 2013
References
30em
Thailand
Category:2013 fires in Asia
Category:Building and structure fires in Thailand
Category:Mae Hong Son province
Category:March 2013 in Thailand
Category:2013 disasters in Thailand
Category:2013 controversies
Category:Controversies in Thailand
Category:Myanmar–Thailand relations
Category:Karen history
Category:White phosphorus
Category:Helicopter history