Missing family in Bangkok is waiting for news worrying
At least 15 people are still alive and are thought to be trapped under the tiled rubs of Bangkok’s skyscrapers that collapsed after a massive earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand.
Rescuers say they detected signs of life and communicated with several survivors under the tall mountain of the 10-storey tall tile debris.
Many construction workers remain missing on the scene as rescue operations are heading into the second day.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake occurred local time on Friday afternoon, killing hundreds of people in the epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar. Its powerful effect can be felt hundreds of miles away in the Thai capital, China and India.
Reports of extensive devastation have been reported in the Saigar region and Mandalay, with flat buildings and temple spires falling. Myanmar officials say more than 1,000 people have been killed so far, and another 2,376 have been injured.
In Bangkok, thousands of people experienced the effects of the earthquake as buildings shook and water was washed away from the swimming pool. Authorities said they received 2,000 reports of cracks appearing in the building.
However, the capital has appeared almost unharmed. This excludes the unfinished headquarters of the Auditor’s Office, which is the focus of Thailand’s damage.
Located just across from the tourist landmark Chatuchak Market, the 30-storey skyscraper once featured a sparkling blue glass and steel tower.
EPA
At least 15 people are still alive and are thought to be trapped under the tiled rub
The earthquake reduces it into twisted rebar piles, crushes concrete, and hundreds of rescuers run around it.
Of the more than 400 workers on the site, at least 96 have gone missing, but according to the latest official numbers, eight have been killed and eight more have been injured.
Some are believed to be Burmese. Many Burmese immigrants work in the Thai construction industry.
Drones, sniffer dogs, cranes and excavators were brought in until Friday night and Saturday morning to assist in the rescue operation.
By lunch, officials said they had detected at least 15 people surviving under the tile ble, about 5 to 10m from the top of the mountain.
Naruemol (left) Woman awaits husband and husband news
“Rescue operations are difficult as the buildings continue to collapse like pancakes and continue to collapse, and they are forced to refrain from using heavy equipment, officials said.
They said they could come into contact with some of the survivors “crying and making noise.” Others were detected by movement and body temperature.
“We want to save them as soon as possible,” said one official. “Some of the signs of life we received last night were silent. I hope that all Thais will pray for them and become stronger.”
Officials have yet to find out why the building collapsed, and are giving investigators a week to investigate.
Tents and desks were set up in the dusty corner of the construction site to register details of missing relatives.
People with solemn faces, mostly women, gathered in tents in the swelling heat, their faces clouded with concern. Occasionally some burst into sobs.
“I desperately wanted to come here. I wanted to see my husband,” one woman who gave her name as Naruemol cried as her friend comforted her.
“I need to see him once, no matter what he is.”
At a moment, the collapse of Bangkok’s high rise after the Myanmar earthquake
One man named Siew, who was waiting to hear the news of his two cousins, told the BBC:
A senior government official vowed to continue searching for missing workers.
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Chanweeakur told reporters while visiting the site, “We work tirelessly and we still work 24 hours a day to make sure people are safe.”
“We will continue to work until no one is left… We are always hopeful.”
Additional reports by Sayitree Jang, Arunoday Mukharji and Nick Marsh
