Tragedy struck in Bangkok following a powerful earthquake that caused a skyscraper to collapse, with at least 15 individuals potentially trapped and calling for help as rescue operations intensify.
**Hopes Remain for Survivors Amid Bangkok Skyscraper Ruins**
**Hopes Remain for Survivors Amid Bangkok Skyscraper Ruins**
Rescue efforts continue as more than a dozen people are believed alive beneath collapsed structure.
At least 15 people are thought to be alive and trapped under the wreckage of a Bangkok skyscraper that crumbled after a significant earthquake shook Myanmar and Thailand. Rescuers have reported detecting signs of life and have managed to communicate with certain individuals trapped beneath the massive debris from the 10-storey building. The rescue operation is currently in its second day with many construction workers still unaccounted for.
The earthquake measured a magnitude of 7.7 and occurred on Friday afternoon, claiming hundreds of lives at its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar. The aftermath revealed widespread destruction, with reports of flattened buildings and fallen temple spires. Myanmar officials have reported over 1,000 fatalities and approximately 2,376 injuries related to the quake's impact.
In Bangkok, the earthquake shook structures and caused chaotic scenes, though the city itself remains largely undamaged compared to those directly affected. The unfinished skyscraper, once a shining blue glass and steel landmark situated near the Chatuchak market, is now a mountain of debris that has become the focus of rescue efforts.
Of the over 400 construction workers present at the site during the quake, reports indicate that more than 96 are currently missing, while eight individuals have died and another eight are known to be injured. Some of those missing are believed to be migrant workers from Myanmar, as many Burmese immigrants are employed in Thailand's construction industry.
Rescue teams have employed drones, sniffer dogs, cranes, and excavators since Friday night to facilitate their operations. As of lunchtime on Saturday, officials confirmed that they had detected at least 15 people alive beneath the rubble, situated roughly 5 to 10 meters below the debris.
Burmese construction worker Ko Myint Kyaw, who was on the scaffolding at the time of the quake, recounted his experience, stating that he narrowly escaped after jumping to the ground when the building started to collapse. He mournfully shared that authorities have since discovered the bodies of two of his colleagues.
The rescue operation has faced challenges due to the building's continued unstable condition, which restricts the use of heavy machinery. Officials have been able to establish contact with some survivors, who have responded to noises and movements, expressing a strong desire to expedite their rescue.
As families of the missing gather in the sweltering heat near the construction site, emotional scenes unfold with many waiting anxiously for news. Individuals like Naruemol have expressed their desperation to see their loved ones, while others have resigned to fear for their survival. Government officials have promised to exhaust all efforts in the ongoing search for the missing, with Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul emphasizing their commitment to the rescue operation, reminding the public of the importance of hope during this crisis.
