Death toll in Bangkok nightclub tragedy rises to 61

Bangkok: Two more people died in hospital overnight, bringing the death toll from a fire at a Bangkok nightclub New Year party to 61, a health official said on Saturday.

The toll from the blaze at the Santika nightclub could rise further as many of the injured remain in critical condition, said Chatree Charoencheewakul, secretary of the National Institute of Emergency Medical Systems.

"The death toll is now at 61 after a man and woman died last night," Chatree said, adding that of the 89 hospitalised, 26 remain in critical condition.

Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze at the packed club in the city's popular Ekkamai district, which broke out just after midnight on Thursday.