KAMPOT: Prime Minister Hun Sen has offered his condolences for the loss of life that occurred because of a major fire in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province, killing more than 10 and injuring dozens more.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kampot-Kep road on Friday morning, 30 December 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that currently 12 bodies have been found, while the estimated death toll is around 16. Additionally, more than 60 people are injured.

He said that yesterday evening, the authorities temporarily suspended the search for survivors due to concerns about the building collapsing, but this morning, the authorities resumed their search after completely extinguishing the fire the night before.

"This is a terrible tragedy at the end of the year," he said.

The Prime Minister added that the fire safety system must now be considered in large buildings, and he issued a directive to maintain order at the scene of the fire as soon as possible in order to reopen the international border gateway with Thailand.