Bangkok: Heavy machinery has been deployed to open the collapsed Office of the Auditor General building as the search for survivors enters its 102nd hour. International rescue teams remain hopeful that survivors may still be found, turning today’s efforts into a critical race against time.
According to Thai News Agency, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt led a team to report on the ongoing search operation following the collapse of the State Audit Office building, which was under construction as part of the new Office of the Auditor General (OAG) project during an earthquake. Mr. Chadchart explained that the current focus is on removing the large debris with the help of the world’s best international rescue team, which previously tackled incidents in Turkey. The team is utilizing cranes weighing 600, 500, and 200 tons. Although no signs of life have been detected yet, 12 bodies have been discovered but not yet removed. The primary challenge is removing the large debris layer by layer to allow officers to search deeper.
Images circulated on social media showed high-angle X-rays indicating over 50 people at different points. Governor Chadchart clarified that these images were estimates from a machine simulating the event, not an indicator of people’s locations. Officials are relying on engineering principles over these devices.
Alongside the officers, Thai K9 dogs are working tirelessly but struggling with the scorching heat, which could affect their efficiency and lead to heatstroke. Kan Chom Phalang provided a camper van with air conditioning to help the K9 dogs cool off, leading to improved responsiveness from the animals.
Today also marks the reopening of a nearby mall, which had been closed for four days, severely impacting local merchants. The road closures and weekend shutdowns have resulted in a significant loss of tourist foot traffic. With stall rentals due on April 5 amounting to 7,000 baht, merchants are urging the mall and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to implement measures to support local entrepreneurs during this challenging period.