4 more bodies found in Bangkok building collapse takes toll to 20
Four more bodies have been discovered beneath the debris of the collapsed Zone C of the new State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok, taking the death toll to 20 with 77 reported missing.
These bodies, found crushed by the structure yet intact, were uncovered at approximately 7.45am today, April 8, opposite the collapsed building site. Anuwat Pho-ampai, a representative from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescue team, disclosed that since yesterday afternoon, heavy machinery had been deployed to create access to a vertical cavity above Zone C. Rescue personnel descended into the area but initially encountered only odours without finding any bodies.
Subsequently, heavy machinery was utilised to penetrate deeper into the site. Search teams using cameras identified clothing belonging to the missing persons, prompting further excavation efforts. By late last night, the team successfully retrieved four dead bodies from Zone C. These were new discoveries, with the bodies found under debris but still intact.
The area, characterised by a cavity filled with concrete and rubble, necessitated the use of specialised equipment by rescue, disaster prevention, and military personnel to mitigate the risk of falling during the vertical descent, given the challenging terrain.
Efforts will be bolstered by the arrival of a large crane capable of lifting up to 1,000 tonnes, which will assist in moving large concrete slabs. It is anticipated that the use of such heavy machinery will expedite the recovery of missing individuals.
In the meantime, search operations continue in Zones A, B, and D with the aid of military and police dogs to canvass the area following the initial clearing by machinery.
Rescue teams mark any suspicious areas indicating the presence of missing persons. This morning, efforts continue to drill into cavities and expand access around Zone C, particularly near the fire escape, reported KhaoSod.
The identification of the four bodies is ongoing, with coordination between the Bang Sue Police Station investigators and the forensic unit at the Police General Hospital for official identification.
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