THREE DEAD, DOZENS MISSING AFTER BUILDING COLLAPSES IN BANGKOK QUAKE AFTERMATH

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, March 28 (Bernama) -- Three people were confirmed dead and dozens reported missing after a high-rise building under construction collapsed, following a powerful earthquake that rocked Myanmar and jolted the Thai capital at midday on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumitham Wechayachai said the 30-storey structure crumbled to the ground within seconds, leaving behind mangled debris and shattered concrete.

“To date, three fatalities have been confirmed, with at least 81 people still trapped inside. One person has been rescued. Each floor must be cleared carefully, one at a time,” Phumitham said after visiting the site on Friday.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed the under-construction building, intended for government offices, collapsing into a cloud of dust as onlookers screamed and fled the scene.

The Thai Meteorological Department reported that the tremor was shallow, occurring at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located in neighbouring Myanmar.

Phumitham added that Bangkok authorities are leading the rescue operation with support from multiple agencies, including four military units.

“Police are also working to clear traffic routes to ensure the swift transport of victims to nearby hospitals,” he said.

According to Phumitham, K9 units and drones have been deployed to survey the damage at the collapse site. The current challenge, he said, lies in retrieving victims, as the use of heavy machinery is not possible.

“To support the operation, experts have been deployed, and the area has been cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access,” he stated.

The Ministry of Transport has announced the suspension of all eight MRT and BTS lines in Bangkok until Saturday morning to allow for comprehensive structural inspections following the earthquake.

Meanwhile, four major shopping malls in the capital operated by Siam Piwat Group - Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery, and Iconsiam - have been temporarily closed, with all staff and customers safely evacuated.

In a statement, the group said that due to the possibility of further aftershocks, it has decided to keep Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, and Siam Discovery closed until further notice.

“A team of experts is currently conducting a thorough inspection of all buildings to confirm their structural integrity. Updates will be provided as soon as possible,” said the statement.

-- BERNAMA