60 Myanmarese killed in fire at Thai refugee camp

Bangkok : More than 60 refugees from Myanmar have been killed and over 100 others wounded in a fire that engulfed a refugee camp in Thailand, a media report said.

The fire broke out near the camp in the border province of Mae Hong Son, Xinhua reported.

Police said the camp was housing an estimated 3,800 refugees from the Karen tribe who had fled fighting inside Myanmar.

The three-hour blaze Friday night spread fast as the refugees’ houses were made of bamboo poles and dried banana leaves.

Thai authorities evacuated the refugees to safer areas while the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has provided relief aid, including tents for temporary lodging.

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