CNN Journalists Apologize For Entering Thailand Day Care Center Crime Scene

Two CNN journalists have apologized for entering the day care center where 37 people were killed—most of them young children—by a former police officer who shot and stabbed the victims in an attack last Thursday. CNN said its correspondent, Anna Coren, and a photographer, Daniel Hodge, believed they had permission to be inside the building, where they recorded video of the aftermath, including blood-covered floors.

“We deeply regret any distress or offense our report may have caused, and for any inconvenience to the police at such a distressing time for the country,” said CNN International executive vice president Mike McCarthy in the statement tweeted by CNN. Coren’s report—including the video from inside the day care center—has been removed from CNN’s website.

“I would like to offer my deepest apologies to the people of Thailand, especially the families of the victims of this tragedy,” said Coren in a video published Sunday on social media. “We are so sorry we have caused you more pain and suffering.”

The two journalists were fined for working in the country on tourist visas, but were cleared of any charges related to entering the day care center. The journalists told officials they had been “waved into” the building by someone who did not have the authority to allow them inside.

The Guardian reported that Danaichok Boonsom, director at the Office of Uthai Sawan Municipality, filed a police report over the CNN crew’s actions, telling reporters “I want them to be respectful to us. They should not do whatever they want to do or only think about getting their ratings.”

Photos published online show the CNN team exiting the day care center by climbing over a wall and police tape, leading many in Thailand to believe the crew knew they did not have permission to be inside the crime scene.