Bangkok: Heavy equipment has reached the top of the wreckage, marking a significant development in the ongoing mission to locate missing individuals following the tragic event. Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced these updates as efforts continue to expedite the recovery process.
According to Thai News Agency, Governor Sittipunt provided an update from the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand building in Chatuchak district. He reported that three more bodies were discovered overnight, increasing the death toll to 44. Heavy equipment has been positioned atop the wreckage, approximately 19-20 meters above the ground, down from its original height of over 100 meters. The equipment will stop immediately if any signs of life or body parts are detected, allowing officers to conduct thorough searches. Monitoring of the incident is ongoing from a tall building nearby, with efforts concentrated on locating missing persons alongside the building's demolition.
Recent heavy rains in the Chatuchak area raised concerns about potential landslides of soil and cement. However, experts have constructed a mound to prevent such occurrences, with staff continually overseeing its stability. Additionally, a new exit route has been established in Zone C to expedite the removal of cement and steel debris from the site, complementing the main route to Kamphaeng Phet 7 Railway Road.
The earthquake in Bangkok, specifically at the State Audit Office building in Chatuchak district, resulted in 103 victims, with 44 fatalities, 9 injuries, and 50 individuals still trapped. The demolition work reduced the structure's height by about 1 meter since the previous day. Machinery is being used to clear cement debris in Zones A, B, and C. Any identifiable items found will be recorded and reported to the Control Center, aiding the Disaster Victim Identification team in verifying identities before passing information to the USAR data analysis team.
In response to the disaster, Bangkok has set up temporary shelters to assist affected residents. These include three shelters: accommodation requests via Airbnb, Wat Samian Nari School Shelter, and Chatuchak Relatives Waiting Center. The Airbnb accommodation program has registered 613 households. Wat Samian Nari School Shelter can accommodate 150 individuals, while the Chatuchak Relatives Waiting Center can host 82 people, with 74 currently staying and 8 spots available as of the latest update.