Bangkok: Officials salvaging the collapsed Office of the Auditor General building have opened the underground zone and accessed the elevator shaft area. The bodies of 74 people have been found, and the search and demolition mission is expected to be completed this month.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM), provided a press conference update on the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Chatuchak District. Officials discovered 13 more bodies and some body parts, along with two more bodies whose identities are pending confirmation from forensic doctors.
The search for missing persons continues in Zone D2, which connects to Zone C and leads to the back building and parking lot. Although the basement floor is not fully accessible, it is anticipated that the walkway on the 3rd floor, which is about 4 meters high, could be 2-3 meters deeper. It is believed that additional deceased persons may be located in this area.
The latest development involves opening the underground zone and reaching the elevator shaft. The search is being expedited, particularly in the connecting section between the 3rd floor building and the collapsed building, Zone C, and Building B, which served as an escape route for the victims. It is believed some may be trapped on the stairs, while others managed to escape and are scattered around the front hall and the edge of the building. A contractor confirmed staff were working in Zone D before the collapse, aligning with the discovery of deceased individuals yesterday at a point no more than 1 meter above the basement.
Today, the Forensic Science Department and Bang Sue Police collected concrete pillars, elevator shaft walls, and steel from the elevator shaft area, believed to be the cause of the building collapse.
The DSI and Bang Sue Police Station investigators aim to gather evidence from the elevator shaft area, which holds crucial details. Officers will secure the area for inspection, delaying demolition.
Information from the Joint Command Center reports 103 victims so far, with 74 dead, 9 injured, and 20 missing. Their identities are being tracked and confirmed.
Although all 103 victims have been identified, not all search zones have been opened. Therefore, the search continues to ensure thoroughness and verify whether there are more missing persons than reported. Confirmation from investigators is awaited.
The building debris search and demolition are set for completion by May. If confirmed that no victims remain, a report will be sent to the Director of Chatuchak District to consider canceling the disaster relief zone declaration and returning the area to the building owner.