A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake has resulted in a devastating collapse of a construction site in Bangkok, with rescuers managing to locate at least 15 survivors beneath the rubble. As rescue operations continue into their second day, anxiety hangs in the air for families of the missing workers.**
Rescuers Race Against Time as Survivors Are Discovered in Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse**
Rescuers Race Against Time as Survivors Are Discovered in Bangkok Skyscraper Collapse**
Reports confirm at least 15 individuals are still alive beneath the debris of a collapsed Bangkok high-rise, following a powerful earthquake across the border.**
At least 15 individuals are believed to be trapped but alive under the rubble of a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed after a significant earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand. Rescuers have reported detecting signs of life and have engaged in communication with some of those stuck beneath the collapsed 10-storey structure.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred on Friday afternoon local time, resulting in hundreds of fatalities near the epicenter in Mandalay, Myanmar. The quake's intensity was felt as far away as the Thai capital and in parts of China and India. The urgent search and rescue effort is now entering its second day as dozens of construction workers remain unaccounted for.
Reports emerging from Mandalay and the Saigaing region highlight widespread destruction, with collapsed buildings and toppled temple spires. Officials in Myanmar estimate that over 1,000 people have died from the quake, while around 2,376 have sustained injuries.
In Bangkok, the quake caused buildings to sway, prompting reports of around 2,000 structural cracks. Fortunately, the capital has largely escaped severe damage, with the notable exception of the unfinished government office skyscraper that now forms an immense pile of debris.
At the construction site, where over 400 workers were engaged, at least 96 individuals are reported missing, and eight have died, with another eight injured. Many of the workers are suspected to be Burmese migrants, who constitute a significant part of Thailand’s construction sector.
As search efforts unfolded, teams employed drones, sniffer dogs, cranes, and excavators. By midday, officials confirmed they had picked up signals of life approximately 5 to 10 meters beneath the debris, including sounds and movements from those trapped.
Families of the missing gathered anxiously at the site for news, with emotions running high. “I just need to see him once, in whatever condition he’s in,” lamented Naruemol, who was desperately seeking her husband. Another relative expressed a grim outlook, fearing the worst for two missing cousins.
Government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul, reiterated their commitment to the ongoing search. "We work tirelessly and are still working around the clock to make sure that everyone is safe," he stated, pledging to continue their efforts until all possible survivors are accounted for. Investigators will probe the cause of the collapse, with a timeline of one week provided for their inquiries.
