Bangkok Tower Collapse: Rescue Workers Search for 80 Missing
A devastating earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025, claimed over 1,600 lives and caused widespread destruction, extending into neighboring Thailand. While the devastation in Myanmar was catastrophic, the collapse of a 30-story office tower under construction in northern Bangkok has captivated the nation, leaving families desperately hoping for positive news from the ongoing search and rescue operation. The Bangkok Post reported on the heartbreaking vigils held by relatives anxiously awaiting word of their loved ones.
Among them was Aubonrat Setnawet, an electrician’s helper, who narrowly escaped. Moments before the quake, she descended to the ground floor, leaving her husband, Nuguy Setnawet, working on the 23rd floor. As the building crumbled, she witnessed a dust cloud engulf it, and her frantic calls to her husband went unanswered. “I am still here waiting, waiting for a miracle,” Ms. Setnawet said.
The scale of the tragedy is immense. Approximately 80 people remain unaccounted for. Recovery efforts are hampered by the precarious, seven-story-high rubble pile, deemed unstable and dangerous for rescue workers. As of Saturday evening, only 10 fatalities had been confirmed in Bangkok, including a crane operator from a separate construction site.
The incident raises serious questions about the building’s structural integrity, particularly given its unfinished state.
“It has to be 100% safe,” said Suchatvee Suwansawat, a professor of civil engineering at King Mongkut University and former president of the Council of Engineers Thailand. “There was something wrong. This is like the building exploded. It’s not normal.”
This disaster echoes previous building collapses in Thailand, including incidents involving six-story structures in 1993 and 2014. However, the magnitude of this collapse is unprecedented, prompting calls for a thorough investigation into the cause, including potential design flaws or construction errors. The building, intended to house Bangkok’s auditor-general, was being constructed by a consortium including the China Railway 10th Engineering Group, a subsidiary of a state-owned Chinese company involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The human cost is immense. Families like Saifon Thongsuk’s, anxiously awaiting news of four missing relatives, and Naruemol Thonglek’s, searching for her husband, son, and four co-workers, exemplify the agonizing uncertainty. Their stories highlight the perilous nature of construction work and the devastating impact of such disasters on families and communities.
Key Points:
- Approximately 80 people remain missing.
- The unstable rubble pile hinders rescue efforts.
- Experts question the building’s structural integrity.
- The collapse’s scale is unprecedented in Thailand.
This catastrophe has far-reaching implications, demanding a reassessment of building codes and construction practices in earthquake-prone regions. The investigation will be crucial not only for determining responsibility but also for preventing future tragedies.
Key Questions:
- What will be the focus of the investigation? Experts will scrutinize the building’s design, construction materials, and adherence to building codes to determine the root cause of the collapse.
- Who is responsible for the building’s construction? A consortium including the China Railway 10th Engineering Group and Italian-Thai Development Plc was awarded the contract.
The Bangkok building collapse serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of urban environments to natural disasters and the critical importance of rigorous building standards. As the search continues and the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the affected families and learning from this tragic event to prevent future losses. While hope may be fading, the pursuit of answers and accountability must continue.
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