Bangkok: Rescuers have identified 70 bodies on floors 14-21 of the State Audit Office building that collapsed recently. Rescue teams are in the process of evaluating and removing the bodies found, particularly from floors 17-21. Meanwhile, the Bangkok Deputy Governor revealed that 6 bodies have been confirmed in the middle of the building wreckage.
According to Thai News Agency, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is personally overseeing the search operation for survivors from the earthquake that caused the building to collapse. Throughout the morning, officials have been clearing the area below to prepare for lifting the beams down one floor at a time. Reports indicate that most of the trapped individuals were located in the middle of the building.
Mr. Bin Banleurit, Special Activities Manager of Ruamkatanyu Foundation, disclosed the work plan for the rescue mission. If no bodies or survivors are detected, officers will employ heavy equipment to dismantle the building structure piece by piece. If a body is found, it will be removed first for identification by relatives. If no one claims the body, it will undergo identification procedures. Over the past four days, scans have revealed over 70 trapped individuals between floors 17 and 21, accounting for nearly all missing persons.
Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Rong Thawida Kamolvech, stated in a media interview that the number of bodies found has not yet been confirmed to be 70. However, it is confirmed that at least 6 bodies were found in Zone A and Zone C, either in clusters or individually. She refrained from confirming the depth at which they were found and requested more time for ongoing operations. She assured that officers are exerting their utmost efforts, despite the passage of time.
In another development, entrepreneurs in the Chatuchak area have reopened their shops at JJ Mall and the Chatuchak plant market. Many vendors are inspecting and cleaning their shops, though some have not returned since the incident. Dust remains a significant issue, especially for clothing shops, and the number of tourists has decreased significantly, with a customer reduction of more than 80%.