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Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse: Rescue Operation Underway Following Myanmar Earthquake
Emergency responders are racing against time to locate individuals believed to be alive within the debris of a Bangkok high-rise building that tragically crumbled after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar and reverberated through Thailand. The tremor, originating from a significant seismic event in the region, caused substantial damage, leading to this building disaster in the Thai capital. Rescue teams have reported detecting signs of life in the wreckage and have established communication with some trapped survivors beneath the collapsed 10-story structure.
Intense Rescue Efforts Continue
Dozens of construction personnel remain unaccounted for at the disaster site as the urgent rescue operation enters its second day. The earthquake, a 7.7-magnitude seismic event, occurred on Friday afternoon local time, resulting in hundreds of fatalities near its epicenter in Mandalay, Myanmar. The extensive impact of the quake was felt across a vast area, reaching the Thai capital hundreds of miles away, and extending as far as China and India.
Widespread Devastation in Myanmar
Reports indicate widespread destruction across the Saigaing region and Mandalay in Myanmar. The seismic activity led to flattened buildings and the collapse of numerous temple spires. Myanmar officials have reported over 1,000 deaths and more than 2,376 injuries as a result of the severe earthquake.
Bangkok Tremors and Building Damage
In Bangkok, the earthquake’s effects were felt by thousands as buildings swayed noticeably, and water overflowed from swimming pools. Authorities in Bangkok have reported approximately 2,000 incidents of structural cracks appearing in buildings throughout the city.
Auditor-General’s Office Headquarters: Epicenter of Bangkok Damage
Despite the widespread tremors, the Thai capital largely escaped major damage. However, the unfinished headquarters of the auditor-general’s office stands as a stark exception, becoming the central focus of the earthquake’s destructive impact within Thailand. Located near the popular tourist destination of Chatuchak market, this once-impressive 30-story skyscraper, characterized by its prominent blue glass and steel tower, has been reduced to a massive heap of twisted metal and shattered concrete.
Search for Missing Construction Workers
The devastation has transformed the skyscraper into a perilous mound of debris, dwarfing the hundreds of emergency workers currently engaged in the frantic search and rescue mission. Of the over 400 workers present at the construction site when the building collapsed, at least 96 remain missing. Tragically, official figures confirm eight fatalities and eight individuals injured in the incident. It is believed that some of the missing workers are migrants from Myanmar, a demographic commonly employed in Thailand’s construction sector.
Round-the-Clock Rescue Operation
Throughout Friday night and continuing into Saturday morning, a comprehensive array of resources including drones, sniffer dogs, heavy cranes, and excavators were deployed to bolster the ongoing rescue efforts. By Saturday afternoon, officials announced the detection of at least 15 individuals still alive beneath the wreckage, located approximately 5 to 10 meters from the surface of the debris pile.
Challenges in Reaching Survivors
The nature of the building’s collapse, described by one official as “collapsed like a pancake” and experiencing continued settling, has presented significant challenges to rescue teams. This unstable environment has restricted the use of heavy machinery to prevent further collapses and endangerment of those trapped. Despite these difficulties, rescue personnel have successfully established contact with some survivors who responded with shouts and noises. Other survivors were located through the detection of movement and body heat.
Plea for Hope and Investigation Launched
“We are committed to rescuing them as quickly as possible,” stated a rescue official. “Regrettably, some signs of life detected last night have since become silent. I urge all Thais to pray for them and maintain hope and resilience.” Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the building’s structural failure, granting investigators a week to conduct a thorough probe.
Families Gather at Disaster Site
At a designated area within the dusty construction zone, tents and registration desks have been established to collect information from relatives of the missing workers. Solemn groups, predominantly women, have congregated in these tents, enduring the oppressive heat while anxiously awaiting news. Their faces reflect profound worry, punctuated by occasional outbursts of grief.
Desperate Plea for Information
“I desperately needed to come here, I need to see my husband,” lamented Naruemol, a woman seeking news of her spouse, as a friend offered comfort. “I just need to see him once, regardless of his condition,” she expressed, conveying the agonizing uncertainty faced by families of the missing.
Grim Hope Amidst Ongoing Search
Siew, a man awaiting updates on two missing cousins, conveyed a somber outlook: “I believe the chances of their survival are very slim… In my heart, I have doubts about their survival.” Despite the grim circumstances, top government officials have affirmed their unwavering commitment to continue the search and rescue operation for all missing workers.
Government Commitment to Rescue
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul, during a site visit, addressed reporters, stating, “We are working tirelessly, around the clock, to ensure the safety of everyone.” He emphasized the sustained effort: “We will continue working until we are certain no one remains inside… We maintain hope.”