Bangkok: The Bangkok governor led a team to announce the urgent rescue of 73 lives trapped under a collapsed building, revealing that the team of world-class experts still has hope of finding survivors.
According to Thai News Agency, at 4:50 p.m., Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, along with Assoc. Prof. Thawida Kamolvech, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, and Ms. Phattharakon Sinsuk, Director of the Chatuchak District Office, jointly announced the progress of the search operation for missing persons from the collapse of a building in the construction project of the new Office of the Auditor General (OAG) in Chatuchak during the earthquake.
Mr. Chadchart stated that the search for victims is ongoing, with the removal of large debris being a priority. The operation began last night with the assistance of an international rescue team, deploying four large cranes to facilitate the rescue. No vital signs have been found yet, although 12 bodies have been located inside the debris. The focus remains on finding survivors, with the operation gradually removing layers of heavy objects to increase access to the inner cavity.
Mr. Chadchart expressed that while the exact number of potential survivors is uncertain, the team remains hopeful. The internal survey indicated that the temperature is not very high and there is an air cavity, providing a chance for those trapped to survive if they were not directly crushed. He emphasized the importance of following official information to avoid misunderstandings about the situation.
The bodies discovered were primarily in Zones B and C, areas with potential escape routes. Zones A and D are less accessible due to the collapsed structures. The rescue team is using a meticulous technique to navigate the wreckage, marking spots where bodies are found and subsequently recovering them.
Mr. Chadchart confirmed that sufficient resources have been mobilized, and additional assistance will be requested if necessary. The forward command center has been relocated to the 5th floor of the parking lot, providing a comprehensive view of the rescue zones. The immediate need is cutting equipment, which is currently sufficient. The focus remains on rescuing missing persons, with evidence collection being a secondary priority.
As of 4:20 p.m., there were 96 victims, 14 dead, 9 injured, and 73 individuals still under investigation. The Director-General of the Department of Public Works has collected samples of concrete and steel from the collapsed building for examination.
Mr. Pongnara Yenying, Director-General of the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, led a team to collect and examine samples of the building materials. The inspection involves using coring machines and steel cutting tools to analyze the quality of the materials, which will be sent to the Forensic Science Division for further examination.