In the aftermath of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and felt across Thailand, rescue teams are focused on finding at least 15 survivors trapped under a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok. As the search enters its second day, the death toll from the quake has exceeded 1,000 in Myanmar, while construction workers in Bangkok anxiously await news of their missing friends and family.
Rescuers Work Tirelessly to Find Survivors After Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse
Rescuers Work Tirelessly to Find Survivors After Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse
Efforts continue in Bangkok as at least 15 individuals are believed to be trapped alive under the debris of a collapsed skyscraper following a devastating earthquake.
At least 15 people are thought to be alive and trapped under the rubble of a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed after a significant earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand. Rescue teams, equipped with drones, sniffer dogs, and cranes, have detected signs of life beneath the 10-storey mountain of debris created by the disaster.
The quake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, hit on Friday afternoon, causing devastation particularly near Mandalay, Myanmar, where hundreds have been confirmed dead, and thousands more injured. The tremors were felt far and wide, as reports surfaced of building damages even in the Thai capital. In the heart of Bangkok, thousands experienced the quake, leading to reports of cracked buildings, though the city largely avoided major structural damage apart from the incomplete headquarters for the auditor-general's office.
The skyscraper collapse has left scores of construction workers missing, with reports indicating that out of over 400 workers present on-site, at least 96 are unaccounted for. This tragic incident has resonated beyond borders, as many of those employed in Thailand's construction industry are Burmese migrants. Rescue operations are being hampered by the unstable condition of the debris, referred to as collapsing "like a pancake."
Families of the trapped workers are gathering anxiously near the construction site, waiting for any news. One woman cried out for her husband, expressing a desperate need for closure, while another man voiced his grim hope about the chances of survival for his missing cousins.
As rescue operations continue, Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul assured the public that work would persist tirelessly until every possible survivor is found. "We will keep working until there is no one left inside… We always have hope," he stated as the search enters a critical phase amid rising fears for missing individuals.
Investigations have begun to determine the cause of the building’s collapse, with officials given one week to complete their assessment. The focus remains on the rescue efforts and the emotional toll on families awaiting news of their loved ones amidst the unfolding tragedy.
