37 die in attack at Philippines integrated resort

37 people have been killed during an incident at the Resort World Manila casino complex in the Philippines, following an attack in the early hours of Friday morning by a lone gunman.

While the gunman fired shots from an assault rifle and set fire to gambling tables, reports suggest that none of the victims had been shot, rather they are thought to have died of suffocation, from breathing toxic fumes and not being able to access emergency exits.

Philippines Southern Police District Director Superintendent Tomas Apolinario told local media “most of the victims were women who were found dead inside the bathroom.”

While early suggestions indicated the attack might relate to Islamic State related militant activity in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, it has emerged that the gunman, who later killed himself, was an indebted gambler.

According to a statement from Resort World Manila, the gunman was found dead around 7am local time.

The statement advised “he had taken his own life by setting himself on fire followed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The incident saw hundreds of guests and employees rushed out of the integrated resort complex and also led to all terminals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport being placed on lockdown during the attack. 

Image: Resort World Manila.

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