On Saturday, the ongoing rescue efforts aimed to save those trapped under the rubble. Thai authorities initially stated that up to 110 people could be missing, but this number is subject to change until the recovery operation is completed. At least eight deaths have been confirmed in Bangkok.
Rescue operations are now racing against time as there is a critical 72-hour window to locate individuals trapped beneath the wreckage, with some believed to be meters underground.
Suriyan Rawiwan, the director of the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, informed local media that 15 people have been found with signs of life.
Throughout Saturday, more family members arrived at the site, some visibly upset and hopeful for answers.
Embedded video — People in Bangkok afraid to stay in their homes after quake
An unprecedented earthquake
When the earthquake struck on Friday, buildings shook, windows shattered, and thousands of people in the city center fled from their buildings. Locals described the occurrence as almost unprecedented.
The earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, struck near Mandalay and Sagaing in Myanmar at lunchtime on Friday, causing widespread destruction in the region. Temples, bridges, buildings, and homes were reduced to debris and dust. Myanmar’s military government has reported over 1,000 fatalities and more than 2,300 injured, and has appealed for international assistance.
Drones and sniffer dogs assist in rescue efforts
The main damage was inflicted upon a 30-story building in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district in Chatuchak. Over a hundred workers, including many migrant workers from Myanmar, were present at the construction site prior to its collapse. Saturday’s rescue operations employed drone technology, sniffer dogs, and cranes. Significant amounts of concrete debris still remain at the site.
Assurances from the authorities
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra of Thailand declared a state of emergency for Bangkok following the earthquake but assured the population that buildings in the country are earthquake-resistant and that people could return to their homes. Extensions were granted for the opening hours of public parks to accommodate those concerned about possible aftershocks or unable to return home due to heavy traffic.bangkok.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has dispatched 130 volunteer engineers to inspect high-rise buildings across the capital. The city remains in shock, prompting inquiries about the event’s details, safety measures, and preparedness for potential future occurrences.
Edited by: Andreas Illmer
