Manila Attack Live: 36 Bodies Found, Gunman Sets Himself Ablaze
The Army along with fire trucks and SWAT team was at the hotel to control the situation.
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- An unidentified gunman entered a casino resort at Manila in Philippines
- He fired shots at the gaming tables and set them on fire
- 34 dead in a panic to escape, several more injured
- Gunman died after setting himself ablaze
- While ISIS has claimed responsibility, Manila police deny terror link
36 Bodies Found
At least 36 bodies were found dead at the casino resort where the attack took place, reported local Philippine channels, quoting sources at the Bureau of Fire Protection.
The victims died of suffocation from smoke after a gunman stormed into a casino-hotel complex and set fire to gambling tables before fleeing with a bag of casino chips.
The police chief says none of the dead bodies had gunshot wounds.
According to the police, the gunman died after setting himself ablaze, reported Reuters.
Smoke Billows from Upper Storey of Hotel
Smoke billowed from the upper storey of an entertainment resort in the Philippine capital Manila where police were searching for a gunman who fired shots and set gaming tables alight early on Friday, a Reuters witness said.
Gunman Not Aiming at People
The Manila Police Chief said that the gunman in the hotel attack was not aiming at the people present. The situation is under control now.
"Guests Were Screaming"
Employees were evacuated from the hotel soon after the gunshots and explosions happened.
"I was about to return to the second floor from my break when I saw people running. Some hotel guests said someone yelled 'ISIS'," Maricel Navaro, an employee of Resorts World, told DZMM radio.
Philippines armed police seen entering the Manila hotel.
Trump has Been Briefed About Attack
US President Donald Trump was aware of the current situation in Manila, a presidential spokesman said today.
Incidents of gunfire have reported from a hotel and a casino resort in Philippine's capital Manila today. ISIS terror group has claimed responsibility.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities or injuries.
ISIS Claims Responsibility
ISIS has claimed responsibility of the attack on the Resorts World Hotel in Manila. Military spokesman Restituto Padilla said the police were in control of the situation and the army was monitoring closely.
Witnesses who spoke to radio stations said several gunmen were seen in the complex. News channel ANC said there were two gunmen, wearing masks and black clothes.
A fire was burning on the second floor of the Resorts World building, Fire Protection bureau spokesman Ian Manalo said.
Hotel on Lockdown
The Resorts World Hotel announced on its Facebook page that it’s currently on lockdown following the attack by unidentified men.
Plumes of Smoke Coming Out of Building
Explosions and gunshots were heard at an entertainment resort in the Philippines capital Manila early on Friday and armed police were deployed to the scene, local media reported.
Police and fire services could not immediately be reached for comment.
Pictures circulated on social media of the resort, close to the city's airport, of plumes of smoke pouring out of a building.
A source at one of the resorts told Reuters employees were being evacuated and declined to give more details. He said police were now in full control of the situation.
Gunfire, Explosions Heard Outside Resorts World Manila
Gunfire and explosions have been heard outside the Resorts World hotel in Manila, CNN Philippines reported on its Twitter feed.
It said police, fire trucks and a SWAT team were in the area.
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