Thai authorities are investigating whether negligence contributed to the devastating fire that tore through a Bangkok bar, as the death toll has risen to 30.

Investigators are examining reports that emergency exits were locked and that highly flammable decorations inside the venue accelerated the spread of the blaze, which erupted near the stage late on Sunday.

Police General Kittiratt Phanphet said initial findings point to serious safety failures, describing the conditions inside the venue as evidence of “a lack of caution and disregard for the safety of the patrons.”

Emergency responders found many of the victims in the bar’s restrooms, where investigators believe they had sought refuge after attempting to escape the flames but were unable to get out.

Authorities said 27 of the victims had been formally identified by Tuesday morning. More than 70 people were injured in the fire, with 24 remaining in critical condition.

Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze was triggered by an electrical short circuit in an air conditioning unit, which quickly caused a power outage throughout the building.

Fire safety expert Busakorn Saensuk, from the Engineering Institute of Thailand, said an inspection of Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao found that a door near the restrooms was locked, while the venue’s main entrance was partially blocked by furniture and other obstacles.

She said patrons would naturally have fled away from the flames towards the rear of the building, only to find themselves trapped.

Busakorn also noted that emergency exit signs were not illuminated and said functioning signage could have helped people locate and open an escape route.

Investigators further found that the stage was decorated with highly flammable materials, including plastic flowers, while combustible foam had been used across the ceiling, allowing the fire to spread rapidly.

Survivors described the stage becoming engulfed in flames within seconds. Thai indie band Thotsakan, which was performing when the blaze broke out, confirmed that two of its members were among those killed.

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly following a series of attacks on vessels and overnight military strikes between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over global energy supplies.

The disruption to traffic through the strategic waterway, a vital route for oil and fuel shipments to Europe and beyond, sparked fears of potential jet fuel shortages. However, the European Union’s Energy Task Force said after a meeting on Friday that fuel supplies remain stable despite the escalating tensions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the task force said the supply of jet fuel “remains overall stable so far” despite the volatile security situation in the Middle East. It also said there were “no immediate security of supply concerns” for oil and gas heading into the winter months.

While gas prices remain above pre-conflict levels, the task force noted that market volatility has been relatively limited and prices are still well below those seen during the 2022 energy crisis.

The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported several security incidents in and around the Strait of Hormuz in recent days. On 5 July, a cargo vessel was attacked by unidentified armed assailants off the coast of Yemen. A day later, a tanker caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman, although no casualties were reported.

On 7 July, another tanker sustained structural damage after being hit by a projectile, while a second vessel in the same area was struck by an uncrewed aerial vehicle, causing minor damage. Most recently, on 12 July, a container ship off the coast of Oman caught fire after being damaged, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel before being rescued by local authorities.

The UK, France and Germany jointly condemned what they described as Iran’s “reckless attacks” on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, including Bahrain, Oman and Jordan. The three countries called for the swift and full restoration of safe navigation through the vital shipping corridor.

The latest developments come after the US military said it carried out a series of strikes in response to Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. Iran said it retaliated by launching strikes against US military bases in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain, further escalating tensions across the region.

At least 27 people have been killed and 22 others are in critical condition after a fire swept through a bar in one of Bangkok’s popular entertainment districts.

Videos shared on social media captured panicked patrons fleeing the venue as towering flames erupted from the building’s entrance, sending thick smoke into the surrounding area.

Preliminary investigations by Bangkok’s disaster mitigation department suggest the blaze may have been triggered by an electrical short circuit in an air conditioning unit. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the official cause of the fire.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the scene early on Monday, said a musician performing at the venue told him there was a loud blast before smoke and flames rapidly spread, prompting people to rush for the exits.

According to the musician, many victims were unable to escape after running to the back of the building and seeking shelter in the toilets as the fire intensified.

Firefighters, alerted by a passing motorist, arrived quickly and managed to bring the blaze under control within about 30 minutes. Despite their efforts, nine men and 18 women lost their lives.

More than 60 people were taken to hospital for treatment, with authorities confirming that 22 remain in critical condition as investigations into the tragedy continue.