Bangkok: Heavy machinery continues to work, focusing on demolishing the remains of buildings in Zone D. This afternoon, the machinery resumed work, focusing on clearing and demolishing the remains of buildings in Zone D, and drilling holes to find more missing persons.
According to Thai News Agency, progress in the search operation for the missing persons and the demolition of the collapsed Office of the Auditor General of Thailand building has been ongoing. At around 1:00 p.m., the machinery and backhoes resumed operation to continue demolishing the building. The focus is on drilling open the pile of building debris from the back, cutting away scrap steel structures and concrete slabs in an attempt to clear the area, and spraying water into the pile of building debris to reduce the spread of dust.
The operation in Zone D is being conducted in parallel with efforts in Zone A, where a ramp is being constructed to connect to Zone B and C. This connection is essential for large machinery to access and clear the piles of cement and scrap metal. Zones B and C have strong bases, necessitating the use of backhoes to carefully scoop up the soil on top to prevent further collapse. Meanwhile, Thai and international rescue personnel, including K9 units, have paused their missions to allow machinery to work at full capacity.
Throughout the day, large machinery is utilized for drilling operations. If vital signs or bodies are discovered, work halts immediately to allow K9 dogs and officers to conduct their tasks. This protocol ensures that the search and rescue operations are conducted efficiently and safely.
In a supportive gesture, Mr. Wu Zhizhu, Deputy Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy to Thailand, delivered safety equipment including face masks, tents, and drinking water to Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok. This equipment is intended for use in the ongoing rescue missions. Mr. Wu also engaged in discussions regarding the current rescue situation for victims of the collapsed building.
The current death toll stands at 16, with 9 individuals injured and 78 still missing.