Rescuers in Bangkok are racing against time to locate possible survivors trapped beneath the rubble of the collapsed State Audit Office building, following a devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28. Late Wednesday night, reports emerged of faint cries for help coming from beneath the debris, intensifying the urgency of the rescue operation.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt provided updates on the situation, revealing that at approximately 10 PM, rescuers reached a hole in the rubble and shouted out for survivors. They heard soft responses, which they believed to be from a woman. "To make sure it was a survivor, rescuers asked for three knocks and there were three knocks in response," he said. This glimmer of hope has kept the spirits of the rescuers and the families of the missing alive.
Rescue teams have been working tirelessly throughout the night, employing a range of methods to ensure the safety of any potential survivors. In a bid to reduce the risk of further collapse, heavy machinery was temporarily halted. Instead, rescuers began manual digging, using their bare hands to sift through the debris. "I want to thank the teams of volunteers including foreign ones who have worked all night long tirelessly," Governor Chadchart added.
The collapse of the 30-storey State Audit Office occurred during a powerful 8.2-magnitude earthquake that has already claimed multiple lives. As of Thursday morning, the confirmed death toll has risen to 29, with 14 additional bodies spotted but not yet retrieved. Meanwhile, 72 workers are still unaccounted for, raising fears of a higher death toll.
Rescuers have reported seeing signs of bodies through scanning devices, but access remains obstructed by thick concrete slabs. By 6:30 AM on Thursday, teams managed to remove three massive slabs, each weighing approximately 60 tonnes. The suspected survival burrow is estimated to be three metres deep, but conditions are challenging, with entangled iron bars complicating recovery efforts.
Two rescuers from the Phetkasem Foundation, Apiwat Chanthani and Udomchok Rodmai, were among the first to hear the faint cries for help in Thai from under the debris in Zone B, a designated area within the collapsed site. Their discovery prompted further action, including the deployment of cutting machines to slice through the debris and iron bars.
As the hours passed, the rescue operation continued to face obstacles. Despite the initial signs of life, the situation has become increasingly precarious. Rescuers have expressed concern that signs of life may be diminishing as time goes on. Nevertheless, the hope of finding survivors remains strong among the rescuers and the families waiting anxiously nearby.
Governor Chadchart has been closely monitoring the rescue efforts from the command center, providing updates to the public and the families of those missing. He emphasized the importance of safety during the operation, stating that the teams are committed to avoiding any actions that could jeopardize the lives of those potentially trapped.
The earthquake that led to the building's collapse has had widespread effects, with reports indicating that seven other fatalities are linked to the quake in Thailand. The Erawan Center reported that a total of 35 people were injured, with 11 individuals remaining hospitalized.
As rescuers work around the clock, the community has rallied together to support the efforts. Volunteers and local citizens have provided food, water, and moral support to the families of the missing, who have been keeping vigil near the site of the collapse.
As the rescue operation continues, the situation remains fluid. Authorities are hopeful yet realistic about the challenges ahead. The search for survivors will persist, with teams committed to exploring every possible avenue to locate those still trapped beneath the rubble.
In the wake of this tragedy, questions regarding building safety standards and emergency preparedness are likely to arise. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by structures in earthquake-prone regions and the need for rigorous safety protocols.
As the sun rises over Bangkok, the rescue teams remain steadfast in their mission. The echoes of hope resonate through the air as they dig deeper into the rubble, driven by the possibility of finding survivors. Each knock, each call for help, fuels their determination to bring those missing back to safety.
The community watches and waits, united in their hope for a miracle amidst the devastation. In this time of crisis, the resilience of the human spirit shines through, as rescuers and families alike hold onto the belief that there may still be life beneath the rubble.
