BANGKOK, April 4 — Thai authorities are racing against time to locate missing individuals at the construction site of the State Audit Office building, which collapsed after powerful tremors from Myanmar’s earthquake shook the Thai capital on Friday (March 28).
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration confirmed that, so far, 79 persons are still unaccounted for.
The disaster claimed 22 lives and injured 34 others.
“As of 8am on April 4, the search and rescue operation at the SAO building collapse site has recovered 15 bodies — eight men and seven women — while seven workers have been rescued,” it said in a statement today.
The Thai authorities officially lifted the earthquake disaster declaration late yesterday night, except at the affected construction site, where search and rescue operations are still ongoing, and the surrounding areas in the Chatuchak District.
It said officials from various agencies, including rescue teams, structural engineers, and medical personnel, continue to work at the site, using advanced equipment and technology to minimise risks for those involved in the operation.
Friday's earthquake had a significant impact on the public, posing a threat to lives, endangering public safety, and causing damage to both private and state-owned properties.
The incident had been classified as a disaster under the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act, B.E. 2550 (2007).
A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar’s Sagaing Region at around 1pm local time on Friday, triggering tremors in various parts of Thailand.
— Bernama
