Good Morning Britain took a tragic turn as the presenters had to interrupt their regular programming with some devastating news.
During Monday’s episode (December 30), Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins were discussing the day’s main stories when they had to hand over to Marverine Cole in the studio for an urgent update.
Marverine reported the heartbreaking news that three foreign tourists had died in a horrific fire at a backpacker hotel in Bangkok. One victim was declared dead at the scene, while two others tragically passed away from their injuries after being rushed to hospital.
Thai media reports suggested that the trio, including one woman, were overcome by smoke inhalation before losing their lives. The fire started on the 5th floor of the Ember Hotel located on Bangkok’s busy Khao San Road, a popular spot for travellers, just after 9pm local time.
Firefighters managed to control the flames by approximately 10:30pm, and authorities are now investigating what caused the tragic incident. At the time of the fire, 75 guests were inside the hotel; all were evacuated, with seven sustaining injuries, among them two Thais and five foreigners.
Following the tragedy, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stressed the importance of safety, especially with New Year’s Eve countdown festivities approaching, set to see fireworks and celebrations across the city, reports the Mirror.
A spokesperson for the fire service detailed the incident, saying: “At 9.26 pm, fire crews arrived at the scene of the fire at a six-storey hotel building. The fire was on the fifth floor. There were two people trapped in a room. One was a male and the other a female. Hotel staff helped 40 people from the roof of the building and fire crews entered to extinguish the fire. Smoke was filling all of the top floors.”
Khao San Road, a bustling hub in Bangkok known for its vibrant nightlife, attracts thousands of backpackers every evening. Located in the Banglamphu area near the Chao Phraya River, it’s a hotspot for travellers.
Visitors can find budget accommodation on Khao San Road with rooms available from as little as 200 Thai baht (£4.68) a night.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am