On April 21, 2025, at 10:30 AM, Mr. Suriyachai Ruangroj, the director of the Office of Prevention and Mitigation of Disasters in Bangkok, provided updates on the ongoing rescue efforts following the collapse of a building at the former Savings Bank site. This tragic incident, which occurred during construction, has left many injured and missing.
Mr. Suriyachai revealed that on April 20, authorities discovered four injured construction workers in Zone C, believed to have been working on the 19th floor of the building. Two of these individuals were rescued, while the other two succumbed to their injuries. In total, there have been 207 injuries reported, with several individuals transported to Niti Vej Hospital for treatment.
As rescue operations continued, the authorities reported that six additional injuries were found, bringing the total number of individuals affected by the incident to over 200. The rescue teams have been working tirelessly, managing to rescue 281 people on April 21 alone, aided by the State Railway of Thailand, which has facilitated access for trucks to transport debris more efficiently.
The structural integrity of the building remains a concern, with the height of the collapsed scaffolding in zones A-D reduced from 11.51 meters to 10.52 meters, and in zones B-C from 9.81 meters to 9.36 meters. This reduction is crucial for enabling further rescue efforts and ensuring the safety of workers on the scene.
In a statement, Mr. Suriyachai highlighted the collaborative efforts of various agencies, including the Department of Public Works, which has provided manpower and equipment to expedite the clearance of debris. The operation is expected to conclude by the evening of April 21, allowing heavy machinery to enter the site for further work.
"The scope of the accident is larger than the immediate area of the building," Mr. Suriyachai stated. "We are focusing on clearing Zone C, particularly the C4-C1 area, where the latest casualties were found. We aim to connect this area with Zone B, which has also been affected by the collapse."
As the rescue teams work to uncover more details about the incident, there are concerns about the possibility of finding additional victims in the basement levels of the building. Mr. Suriyachai acknowledged this risk, stating, "We must accept the reality that there is a chance of finding more individuals trapped in the basement, especially those who may have been working on floors 5 or 6 at the time of the collapse."
Authorities have been closely monitoring the situation, with reconnaissance teams assessing the stability of the remaining structure. The plan is to continue reducing the height of the scaffolding to facilitate access to the first floor by the end of April 2025.
As of April 20, the confirmed death toll stands at 47, with an equal number of individuals still missing. The search and recovery efforts are ongoing, with police and forensic teams collecting evidence from the site to ensure accountability and transparency in the investigation.
Rescue operations have faced challenges, including the risk of further collapses and the need to ensure the safety of workers involved in the recovery efforts. Mr. Suriyachai emphasized the importance of careful planning and coordination among various agencies to mitigate these risks.
The incident has raised questions about construction safety standards in the region, prompting calls for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar tragedies in the future. As the investigation continues, community members are left grappling with the aftermath of this devastating event.
In the wake of the collapse, traffic on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road has been affected, with one lane reopened to alleviate congestion for local businesses, particularly the nearby JJ Outlet. The authorities are working to ensure that the impact on the surrounding area is minimized.
As the search for survivors continues, the community remains hopeful that more individuals will be found. Mr. Suriyachai concluded, stating, "We are committed to doing everything we can to locate any remaining survivors and provide support to the families affected by this tragedy."
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with construction work and the importance of safety protocols to protect workers on the job. As the situation develops, the focus remains on the well-being of those affected and the ongoing efforts to recover from this disaster.
