Ten killed, scores injured in huge hotel-casino fire on Cambodian border – Newstrends
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Ten killed, scores injured in huge hotel-casino fire on Cambodian border

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About 10 people are dead and more than a dozen on life support after a fire at a Cambodian border casino, with photos from the scene showing people desperately huddled on ledges and perched on windowsills in a bid to escape the flames.

The blaze at the Grand Diamond City hotel-casino in Poipet, on the Thai border, broke out late Wednesday night, Cambodian police said.

A provisional police report seen by AFP put the death toll at “about 10” and the number of injured at 30.

But Thai authorities in neighbouring Sa Kaeo province later said that more than 50 victims had been hospitalised there, with public health official Prapas Pookduang telling AFP that 13 people were “on life support”.

Sa Kaeo Governor Parinya Phothisat said another 60-odd people caught up in the conflagration had already been checked and cleared by Thai hospitals.

Images obtained by AFP showed the building consumed by flames, with firefighters struggling to contain the blaze and rescuers attempting to pluck people from a burning ledge.

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In one clip, an unidentified man is seen sitting on a window ledge as smoke billows out from behind him. In another, a group of people huddle on a ledge as flames draw near.

A Thai foreign ministry source said they had been coordinating closely with local authorities, “including by sending in firetrucks from the Thai side”.

Governor Parinya said Thai hospitals had treated 79 Thai nationals, 30 Cambodians and eight Indonesians.

A volunteer with Thai rescue group the Ruamkatanyu Foundation said the blaze started on the first floor but spread quickly along the carpets, leaping up through the multi-storey building.

– Hotel-casino hotspots –
Cambodia is one of Southeast Asia’s poorest countries and its citizens are officially barred from gambling in its casinos.

There are numerous hotel-casinos clustered along the Thai border, with Poipet a popular holiday destination for visitors from Thailand, where most forms of gambling are also illegal.

The blaze follows two other fatal incidents in entertainment venues in neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam in 2022.

In August, a fire broke out at a Thai nightclub killing 26 people and injuring scores more.

And in September, a blaze broke out in southern Vietnam, killing 32 people in a karaoke bar.

Concerns have long been raised over the region’s lax approach to health and safety regulations, particularly in its countless bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues.

A massive inferno erupted at a New Year’s Eve party at Bangkok’s swanky Santika club in 2009, killing 67 people and injuring more than 200.

The owner of Santika was jailed for three years over the blaze, which began when fireworks were set off as a rock band played on stage.

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‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

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‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, (NNPC) Limited has warned the public to beware of fraudulent recruitment advertisements circulating online, stating that it is not conducting any hiring process at the moment.

In a statement issued on its official X handle on Friday, the state-owned oil company cautioned job seekers against falling victim to fake recruitment schemes, emphasizing that all legitimate job openings would only be announced through its official channels.

“The general public is hereby informed that NNPC Limited is not recruiting.

“Official recruitment announcements will only be made through our website and verified social media platforms,” the statement read.

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The company reiterated that its recruitment process is “transparent, merit-based, and requires no external assistance.”

The company urged Nigerians to disregard any unofficial job advertisements that claim to be from NNPC Ltd., as they could be attempts to defraud unsuspecting applicants.

The management further assured the public that it remains committed to upholding the integrity of its hiring process and would notify Nigerians whenever recruitment officially commences.

“We advise the public to always verify information directly from our official platforms to avoid being misled by scammers,” the company stated.

The company urged individuals to report any suspicious recruitment advertisements falsely linked to NNPC Ltd. to the appropriate authorities.

 

‘We’re not hiring,’ NNPC denies viral recruitment adverts

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Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

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Governor Ademola Adeleke

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

In response to the resurgence of hostilities between Ifon and Ilobu communities, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has imposed curfew on Ifon and Ilobu communities in Orolu and Irepodun Local Government Areas, respectively.

Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, announced the new directive in a statement issued in Osogbo on Friday, emphasizing the government’s determination to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

“Following a resurgence of the crisis between Ifon and Ilobu communities, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, in a move to curb its further spread, has announced a new curfew time frame from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily, until lasting peace is restored,” he said.

Expressing deep concern over the renewed violence, the governor condemned the fresh outbreak of communal clashes.

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“Gov. Ademola expressed unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the breakout of fresh communal crises in Ilobu and Ifon.

“To this end, the governor has directed that the initial 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. curfew on the communities now be extended to 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., effective today, Friday, March 21, until further notice,” Alimi stated.

The commissioner further revealed that a joint security team, comprising the Nigerian Army, Police, and Civil Defence, had been instructed to sustain 24-hour surveillance in the affected areas to uphold law and order.

“In addition, the governor directed that an immediate stakeholders’ meeting, including the Olufon of Ifon, the Olobu of Ilobu, and other stakeholders from both communities, be held tomorrow, Saturday, to discuss further resolutions of the conflict,” he added.

Governor Adeleke called on residents, traditional rulers, and all stakeholders to embrace peace.

Communal Clash: Gov Adeleke imposes new curfew on Ifon, Ilobu communities

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BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

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Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the immediate posting of 38 Commissioners of Police to various State Commands and Police Formations.

The deployment comprises 9 commissioners of police to key state commands and an additional 29 CPs to various police formations across the country.

A statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, said the commissioners of Police deployed to state commands include CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba to Zamfara State, CP Bretet Emmanuel Simon to Taraba State, CP Christopher Ado Emmanuel to Yobe State, CP Olusegun Eyitayo Omosayin to Cross-River State, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman to Niger State, CP Sani Omolori Aliyu to Bauchi State, CP Bello Shehu to Katsina State, CP Saka Adewale Ajao as Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and CP Ojo Adekimi to Kwara State.

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“In addition to these State Command appointments, the deployment also includes the posting of 29 CPs to various police formations as part of a broader effort to address rising security challenges and ensure effective policing that is responsive to community needs. Each CP will be tasked with implementing tailored strategies that reflect the unique requirements of their respective formations, ensuring that policing is both proactive and effective.

“The IGP charges the newly deployed CPs to prioritize their responsibilities in curbing insecurity and misconduct, reinforcing the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold law and order through robust intelligence-led policing. This deployment reflects the dedication of the new Police leadership to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force is well-equipped to address the challenges of maintaining peace and security in the country,” the statement said.

 

BREAKING: IGP redeploys 38 police commissioners

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