A contractor backed by Chinese investors is under scrutiny following the collapse of a 33-floor tower in Bangkok during a recent earthquake. The building’s glass exterior crumbled to the ground, trapping numerous individuals in the debris, as a 7.7 magnitude quake struck central Myanmar, roughly 800 miles away from the Thai capital.
Although Bangkok’s skyline is filled with construction projects, no other sites experienced similar structural failures. The collapse of the skyscraper has resulted in the recovery of eight bodies, while approximately 50 individuals remain unaccounted for.
As rescue efforts continue in sweltering heat, questions have emerged regarding the swift collapse of the building. Experts speculate whether design flaws or construction errors played a role. An investigation has been launched by Thailand’s government to determine the cause of the disaster within a week.
The collapsed tower, owned by the national audit office and in progress for three years, was a collaboration between Italian-Thai Development Plc and China Railway Number 10 (Thailand) Ltd. The Chinese firm, China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group Company, holds a significant stake in the project.
Authorities are examining factors such as the quality of materials used and the structural design to ascertain the root of the collapse. International specialists have raised concerns about the construction technique and Bangkok’s soft soil, which might have exacerbated the impact of seismic activity.
As rescue operations persist, families anxiously await updates on their loved ones trapped inside the rubble. Thermal imaging drones have detected potential signs of life, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing search and recovery mission.
As Saturday afternoon arrived, optimism began to fade in Bangkok as people awaited updates on the ongoing rescue operation. Pat Kongporn, whose parents were trapped under the rubble, expressed her disbelief and sorrow to The Telegraph, saying, “I never thought something like this would happen, and now I feel depressed. My parents are hard-working people who give me love.” Pat had last spoken to her parents just before the earthquake struck on Friday and rushed to the Thai capital from a city 50 miles away when she couldn’t reach them later. Determined to stay until she receives news about her parents, she remarked, “I’ve been here since 6pm yesterday. I will stay until I know the news, until my parents or their bodies are found.”
Ponsak, a 29-year-old construction worker who narrowly escaped being buried in the debris, shared his harrowing experience, saying, “I [was] so scared and I almost jumped out from the building. I feel guilty that I’m safe, and [I couldn’t] sleep last night because I was worried about other people. I’m still shocked.”
Amidst the tragedy, politicians emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation to prevent such disasters in the future. Prof Suchatchavee highlighted the earthquake risk in Thailand, stating, “We have to find out what is going on so we can come back to change the design, construction, and even the law. It’s too soon to blame anyone or nationality, but if we find out, they have to take responsibility.”
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