Cambodian Victims of Grand Diamond City Fire to Receive Compensation

Summary

• All 57 Cambodian casino victims will be compensated by the casino hotel
• The full details of the compensation will be announced at an upcoming press conference
• Rebuilding efforts for the casino have begun while many people remain missing

Victims of the deadly fire at Grand Diamond City Hotel & Casino in Cambodia on Dec 29, 2022 will be compensated by the company. Banteay Meanchey province spokesman Sek Sokhom announced that the 57 Cambodians affected by the tragedy will receive compensation, though the exact amount has yet to be determined.

Fire Victims to be Compensated

Sokhom said they’ve been made aware that Thai victims have received compensation worth almost $30,000 from Grand Diamond City Hotel & Casino. According to Sokhom, the company will provide separate compensations for those who were hospitalized and for the affected employees who have existing contracts with the casino hotel.

Sokhom assured that the provincial government will assist in getting adequate help for the victims and will coordinate with charities for more aid and support. The full details of the compensation for Cambodian victims will be unveiled at a press conference, he said.

The real money casino, located in the Cambodian city of Poipet on the border with Thailand, was engulfed by a massive fire on December 29, 2022. The tragedy left 27 people dead and injured 57 others. Among those killed by the blaze were 17 Thai nationals. Three were from China, Malaysia, and Nepal, while six remain unidentified.

A number of people are still unaccounted for nearly two weeks after the fire. Sokhom said the missing individuals will also be fairly compensated if it is established that they were killed in the tragedy.

Among those missing is 29-year-old casino staff Sam Sreymom, whose husband Khim Vong is still awaiting updates from the authorities as to the whereabouts of his wife.

Rebuilding Works Begin While Some People Remain Missing

While several people remain missing after the blaze, the company is reportedly now focused on rebuilding the property (the industry has recently shrunk), leading to claims it is “prioritizing money over human life”. Allegations have emerged about search operations being stopped to allow authorities to recover seven large safes from the scene.

Demolition efforts are underway as part of the rebuilding plan and this has sparked concerns they could eradicate important evidence as to the exact cause of the fire, and nobody would be held accountable for the tragedy.

The fire was believed to be triggered by overheated wires, but there are claims that the casino owners were not fully compliant with building codes and requirements, which Cambodian authorities had allegedly ignored. The claims have yet to be proven as the investigation is still ongoing.