A massive pile of rubble reaching almost seven stories in height, accompanied by thick clouds of dust and scorching 96 degrees Fahrenheit heat, greeted rescue workers at the site of a collapsed high-rise building in Bangkok following a devastating earthquake in Myanmar. Eight individuals have been confirmed deceased at the location, but many more are still unaccounted for, primarily workers entombed when the 33-story construction project caved in near Chatuchak Park.
Rescue crews employed a variety of heavy machinery, including excavators to navigate through the debris and dump trucks to transport it away, while also using water sprays to improve visibility. Relatives of those trapped anxiously watched on, clinging to the hope that their loved ones might be rescued alive.
Initial signs of potential survivors were detected early in the day, with officials reporting indications of life from 15 people trapped at different levels, some buried beneath as much as 10 feet of rubble. However, by 3 p.m. local time—nearly 24 hours after the earthquake struck—no further updates were available regarding survivors, leaving it presumed that all affected individuals were part of the 320-member construction crew.
“My building collapse so fast,” recounted 42-year-old Than Htike from Myanmar, who narrowly escaped death. His wife, along with many colleagues, remains missing, buried under a massive amount of rubble. Mr. Htike, and others like him, sought work in Thailand due to economic difficulties at home, earning around $10 a day.
Natthanan Kaewkaiyasit, 49, waits anxiously for news about her 53-year-old missing partner, a welder on the site. Like many, she holds onto the hope for miracles. Another worker, Aubonrat Setnawet, 44, vividly recalled the moment of the quake, describing the building’s swaying and the immediate chaos as they fled the scene. Her husband, too, is among those missing, leaving her with the same wish for a miraculous outcome.
The plight of these individuals underscores the desperation gripping those affected by the tragedy, with many individuals, both in Bangkok and Myanmar, holding on to the hope of reuniting with their loved ones.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/world/asia/bangkok-search-survivors.html
