Thirty-seven bodies were found at a hotel and casino complex in the Philippine capital, Manila, on Friday, after what the police described as a botched robbery attempt by a Caucasian madman who rampaged through the venue with an assault rifle, setting fire to gambling tables.

The victims, who were discovered on Friday morning and included a senior politician’s wife, had not been shot, but were suffocated in the chaos as terrified guests and staff tried flee the choking smoke, said Southern Police District Director Superintendent, Tomas Apolinario.