At least 35 bodies found at Manila casino
Lone gunman opens fire in Philippines capital
At least 36 bodies have been recovered from a casino and hotel complex in Manila after a gunman opened fire in what officials say was a botched armed robbery.
Local police in the Philippines capital say most of the dead appeared to have suffocated in thick smoke after the gunman set fire to gaming tables inside Resorts World Manila, near the Ninoy Aquino airport.
Witnesses say the man began shooting at television screens inside the casino with an automatic rifle shortly before midnight local time.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The man then started several fires before filling a backpack with casino chips worth around £1.7m. The gunman reportedly dropped the backpack while being chased out of the casino by police and security guards.
Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa said the gunman then fled on foot to the hotel portion of the complex where he was found dead after setting himself on fire.
"He lay down on the bed, covered himself with a thick blanket, apparently poured petrol on the blanket and burned himself" – Dela Rosa
Video of the aftermath of the shooting shared on social media shows casino customers and staff struggling to flee the burning building.
Dozens of people were injured in the panic following the incident, most of whom were "suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation", Reuters reports. "Some had injuries such as fractures [but] none had gunshot wounds."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A Man on the Inside: Netflix comedy leaves you with a 'warm fuzzy feeling'
The Week Recommends Charming series has a 'tenderness' that will 'sneak up' on you
By The Week UK Published
-
Bread & Roses: an 'extraordinarily courageous' documentary
The Week Recommends Sahra Mani's 'powerful' film examines the lives of three Afghan women under the Taliban
By The Week UK Published
-
V13: a 'marvelous and terrifying' account of the Bataclan terror trials
The Week Recommends Emmanuel Carrère's work is 'absolutely gripping'
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published