Min buri: The Min Buri District has mandated an immediate halt to construction activities at the Min Buri Water Pumping Station located on Soi Nimit Mai 6. This decision comes in the wake of a structural incident involving the collapse of a steel frame, prompting a comprehensive inspection by officials to determine the cause and assess the integrity of the overall structure.
According to Thai News Agency, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) has assured that the building's structure remains unaffected by the incident and has pledged compensation for those injured. Surveillance footage captured the moment a steel frame within the construction site, intended for a water tunnel, tilted and subsequently fell, injuring a worker. The incident, which occurred on the night of July 6, involved 160 workers who were present at the site, all of whom evacuated safely. However, 12 individuals sustained injuries.
Mr. Sakchai Saisuk, Min Buri District's Director, visited the site alongside representatives from the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI), the Social Security Office, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, and forensic police, who conducted an hour-long inspection. The media were restricted from entering the site and remained outside the perimeter.
Mr. Sakchai detailed that the project entails constructing a large water storage pond measuring 80 meters in width, 120 meters in length, and 8 meters in height, with an approximate capacity of 70,000 cubic meters. He clarified that the incident involved the movement, rather than a complete collapse, of the steel structure. The exact nationalities of the injured workers remain unidentified, and the MWA has taken immediate control of the site, closing it for forensic investigation.
During the occurrence, the construction was in the steel tying phase, without any concrete installation or pouring having commenced. Despite the presence of steel supports and scaffolding, strong winds were likely a contributing factor, causing the steel bars to fall in succession. Min Buri District Office has temporarily suspended the project to allow for thorough inspections. It is anticipated that the steel standards meet the necessary requirements for a water-bearing facility, given the involvement of a government agency like the MWA.
Compensation for the injured will initially be managed by the private contractor involved, with potential governmental compensation contingent on the Social Security Office's measures. Mr. Sakchai emphasized that the project adhered to all legal procedures, negating the need for a building permit due to its government affiliation.
The MWA, through spokesperson Ms. Nisapat Wongphat, confirmed that the incident did not compromise the structural integrity of the construction. She detailed that the accident involved the collapse of a supporting structure for a reinforced concrete wall during stabilization efforts, exacerbated by strong winds. The incident resulted in 12 injuries: 8 with minor injuries who were discharged, 2 under observation at Nawamin 9 Hospital, and 2 awaiting orthopedic surgery. The MWA has expressed its concern and support for the affected workers and their families.