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Families of the missing in Bangkok are gripped by anxiety as rescue operations continue following the collapse of a skyscraper that was impacted by a powerful earthquake. Reports indicate that at least 15 individuals are believed to be alive and trapped beneath the rubble of the structure, which succumbed to the seismic shift that registered a magnitude of 7.7 in Myanmar and Thailand.
Rescue teams have stated they have detected signs of life, and some survivors have been able to communicate from within the debris of the now 10-storey building. Efforts are ongoing as they search for scores of construction workers who are still unaccounted for, entering the second day since the disaster.
The earthquake struck on Friday afternoon, particularly affecting the area near Mandalay, Myanmar, where it resulted in the deaths of hundreds. Its effects were felt far beyond, reaching thousands of miles away to Bangkok and even affecting regions in China and India.
Devastation has been widespread in the Sagaing region and Mandalay, with reports of buildings demolished and ancient temple spires toppled. Myanmar officials have reported that over 1,000 individuals have died and nearly 2,400 have sustained injuries.
In Bangkok, the tremor led to buildings swaying and prompted emergency reports regarding structural cracks in over 2,000 locations. Despite the anxiety and upheaval, the city itself emerged largely unscathed, with the exception of the unfinished headquarters for the auditor-general’s office, which became a focal point of damage amidst the urban landscape.
Once an impressive 30-storey tower showcasing a façade of blue glass and steel, the structure is now reduced to a vast pile of debris, littered with twisted rebar and crushed concrete, underscoring the scale of the ongoing rescue efforts. Among the over 400 workers present at the time of the collapse, officials confirmed that at least 96 remain missing. Tragically, eight have died and eight more have been reported injured.
Many of those missing are believed to be Burmese, reflecting the significant presence of Burmese migrants working within Thailand’s construction industry. Throughout the night and into Saturday morning, rescuers deployed drones, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery to aid their search efforts.
By midday on Saturday, rescuers had located signs of life approximately 5 to 10 meters beneath the rubble. Some survivors have reportedly made noise or used movements to signal to rescuers that they are still alive.
“We want to save them as soon as possible,” stated a rescue official, expressing the urgency of the situation. “However, some signs of life we detected last night have since gone quiet. I urge everyone in Thailand to pray for their safe return.”
As investigations begin into the cause of the building’s collapse, officials have set a one-week timeline for a thorough inquiry. At the site, makeshift tents and tables have been arranged to collect information from family members searching for the missing.
Despair is palpable among the relatives gathered, with many, predominantly women, expressing emotional distress as they await news. One woman, Naruemol, was seen in tears as she recounted her desperation to learn about her husband’s fate. “I just need to see him once, no matter the condition,” she lamented.
Others, like Siew, whose two cousins are among the missing, shared a sense of hopelessness, reflecting, “In my heart, I don’t know if they will survive.” The fear of loss weighs heavy over families as they hope for the best while facing the grim realities of the situation.
Government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul, have emphasized their commitment to continue search efforts uninterrupted. “We are working tirelessly, around the clock, to ensure everyone’s safety,” he assured reporters during a visit to the disaster site. “We will not stop until we have accounted for everyone trapped inside… Hope remains,” he added.
Source
www.bbc.com