Dozens of people are feared dead in a fire that started after a gunman burst into a Manila casino and set gaming tables alight in what is thought to be a failed robbery attempt.
Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, said at least 34 people had died, mostly due to suffocation following the blaze.
The unidentified lone gunman who stormed the entertainment resort early on Friday died after setting himself alight as armed officers searched the building, police said.
National police chief Dela Rosa earlier said the attacker “was killed by our troops”, but later confirmed the suspect had killed himself after firing at officers.
“He burned himself inside the hotel room 510,” dela Rosa told a media conference. “He lay down on the bed, covered himself in a thick blanket and apparently doused himself in gasoline.”
The venue owner, Resorts World Manila, said security guards and police tracked the gunman down at about 7am, after the midnight attack, and that he set himself on fire and shot himself.
Armed police were deployed about 2am on Friday after gunfire and loud bangs were heard inside the building. Dozens of people were injured as they tried to escape, before officers gained control of the situation.
The man walked into one of the gambling rooms, set fire to tables and fired an M4 rifle but did not appear to have shot anyone, the national police chief Ronald dela Rosa said earlier.
The entertainment complex is located near Manila’s international airport and is a popular tourist destination.
Source: The Guardian Image: NHK
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