This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21902299
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Burma refugees die in Thailand camp fire | Burma refugees die in Thailand camp fire |
(34 minutes later) | |
About 30 people have died in a fire at a camp housing Burmese refugees in northern Thailand, local officials say. | About 30 people have died in a fire at a camp housing Burmese refugees in northern Thailand, local officials say. |
A number of people at the Ban Mae Surin camp were injured in the blaze, which destroyed about 100 makeshift houses. | A number of people at the Ban Mae Surin camp were injured in the blaze, which destroyed about 100 makeshift houses. |
Officials say the fire may have been started by a cooking accident, but an investigation is still under way. | Officials say the fire may have been started by a cooking accident, but an investigation is still under way. |
More than 3,000 refugees from Burma - mostly from the Karen minority - live at the camp. Those who lost their homes are being temporarily housed in tents. | More than 3,000 refugees from Burma - mostly from the Karen minority - live at the camp. Those who lost their homes are being temporarily housed in tents. |
The fire started at about 16:00 local time (09:00 GMT) in the camp in Mae Hong Son province, the local officials say. | |
"Most of the dead are women, elderly and children. Some 200 are wounded," one official was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. | |
The blaze was extinguished about two hours later. | |
It is estimated about 130,000 Burmese refugees have fled conflicts in the country and are currently living in camps in northern Thailand. |
Previous version
1
Next version