Bangkok: Five more bodies have been discovered in the rubble of the Office of the Auditor General’s building, which collapsed following an earthquake on March 28, 2025. Rescue teams are urgently working to recover the bodies and continue their search for missing individuals still trapped under the debris.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Apiwat Chantani, a representative of the Petchkasem Foundation, reported the ongoing progress of the search and rescue mission. Throughout the night, rescue efforts persisted with both local rescue teams and international Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) units actively working in the affected zones. A significant breakthrough occurred when Israeli soldiers, involved in the operation, detected a foul odor leading to the discovery of a deceased individual’s lower body part, prompting coordinated efforts to confirm and recover the body.
The remains were found in Zones B and C of the collapsed structure, buried under debris, which initially hindered immediate recovery due to safety concerns for the rescue teams. Today, efforts are focused on deploying heavy machinery to clear the debris, providing access to areas where it is believed more individuals may be trapped.
Mr. Apiwat emphasized the persistence of hope despite the diminishing survival chances after 72 hours. Rescue teams from Thailand and international partners are working tirelessly to rescue any remaining survivors. The situation is continuously assessed, with plans adjusted as needed to optimize the search and rescue operations.
As of 6:00 a.m. on April 1, 2025, the summary of the rescue mission indicates a total of 96 victims, including 13 confirmed deaths-comprising 8 men and 5 women-9 injuries, and 74 individuals still unaccounted for.