Rescue operations in Bangkok are underway as officials report signs of life beneath the rubble of a skyscraper that collapsed following a significant earthquake. The 7.7-magnitude quake hit Myanmar and Thailand, claiming lives and causing devastation in the affected regions.
At least 15 people are believed to remain trapped under the wreckage of the 10-storey building—a construction site that has transformed into a deadly structure of concrete and debris. Rescuers have managed to communicate with some survivors, indicating a ray of hope amidst the chaos.
The earthquake's far-reaching impact was felt in Bangkok, where buildings swayed, but the city mostly escaped severe damage apart from the construction site. Tragically, more than 96 workers are missing, and the death count stands at eight, with many victims possibly being Burmese migrants who comprise a substantial part of the labor force in the Thai construction industry.
Rescue teams equipped with drones, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery are working around the clock, but the risk of further collapse complicates their efforts. A witness, a construction worker named Ko Myint Kyaw, described the horrifying moment the building crumbled, stating that the entire structure fell as if it were a massive pancake.
Relatives of the missing gathered at the rescue site, filled with anxiety and despair. One woman, Naruemol, expressed her urgent desire to see her husband, showcasing the emotional toll on families waiting for news.
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul reassured the public, promising that rescue efforts will persist until everyone is accounted for and stressing the importance of hope in this dire situation. As rescue teams continue their operations, the call for prayers and support for the missing remains strong.
