BANGKOK EARTHQUAKE AFTERMATH: DEATH TOLL RISES TO 17, RESCUE EFFORTS CONTINUE

By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock

BANGKOK, March 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in the Thai capital, Bangkok, following Friday’s powerful earthquake in Myanmar has risen to 17, with another 32 people injured and more than 70 still missing.

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake rattled Mandalay, Myanmar, on Friday, with tremors felt in Bangkok.

The Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre, better known as the Erawan Centre, reported that most of the fatalities occurred in the collapse of the State Audit Office building in Chatuchak District, where 10 bodies have been recovered.

“As of 8 am today (Sunday), 10 fatalities have been reported from the building collapse.

“One fatality was reported at each of the following locations: the crane collapse at Bang Pho Intersection, the base of the Rama IX condominium, a construction site on Ram Intra 64, the Metropolis Sukhumvit 39 building, the Witthayu Complex Condominium on New Phetchaburi Road, the Niche Mono Bang Pho Condominium, and the Life One Condominium on North Witthayu Road,” the Erawan Centre stated in a statement on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Sunday morning that search and rescue teams had detected signs of life at the collapsed State Audit Office construction site in Chatuchak.

He said rescue efforts are being intensified under expert guidance, but the exact death toll is still awaiting verification.

"We are doing everything possible, supported by international partners including the United States and China, who have provided additional equipment. Bangkok is coordinating rescue zones to prioritise life-saving operations. There is still hope, and we are determined to find survivors," he said.

Chadchart revealed that the government has allocated an initial relief budget of 200 million baht (US$5.9 million) to cover rescue operations and related costs.

"Detailed guidelines for compensation and support will be announced shortly. We are committed to adhering to legal and regulatory frameworks while ensuring swift assistance for those affected," he added.

Meanwhile, local media reported that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has instructed the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning (DPT) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of the State Audit Office building during the earthquake.

The Prime Minister stated that the inquiry would examine the building’s design, the authority responsible for its approval, and whether any negligence or flaws contributed to the collapse.

On Friday, the construction site for the new headquarters of the State Audit Office, located in Chatuchak District near Bang Sue Grand Station, collapsed following the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, which also caused significant tremors in Bangkok.

-- BERNAMA