Collapse of Bangkok Skyscraper Traps Workers Following Major Earthquake

A powerful earthquake struck Bangkok, causing a skyscraper to collapse and trapping at least 43 construction workers. The USGS reported a 7.7 magnitude quake, with an aftershock of 6.4. Emergency responses are underway, and inspections of damaged buildings are ongoing amid chaos in the city.

On Friday, residents of Bangkok experienced a significant earthquake, resulting in the collapse of a skyscraper under construction, which led to at least 43 workers being trapped. The earthquake’s epicenter was identified by Germany’s GFZ Center for Geosciences in neighboring Myanmar and measured at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.7, followed closely by an aftershock measuring 6.4. There have been reports of fatalities in Thailand and Myanmar; however, the precise toll remains unverified. In response, the Thai Prime Minister has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, while Myanmar has done the same in its capital and second-largest city.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of chaos as people rushed into the streets upon feeling the tremors, with reports of water splashing out of swimming pools. The Associated Press reported that police confirmed a high-rise under construction in Bangkok collapsed due to the earthquake, trapping numerous workers inside. Emergency responders reported finding two bodies and rescuing seven individuals from the rubble, though many others are still unaccounted for.

The 30-story skyscraper was intended for government offices and is situated in the northern part of Bangkok. Worapat Sukthai, the deputy police chief of the Bang Sue district, shared his observations, stating, “When I arrived to inspect the site, I heard people calling for help, saying help me.” He added that estimates of injuries could reach into the hundreds, with casualty numbers still being assessed.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt indicated that the earthquake inflicted damage on multiple high-rise buildings across the city, prompting ongoing inspections to ascertain the full extent of the effect. In response to the earthquake, transit services, including some metro and light rail lines, were temporarily suspended.

The recent earthquake in Bangkok has resulted in a significant tragedy, with the collapse of a skyscraper trapping many workers. Efforts to rescue those trapped are ongoing as authorities respond to the emergencies declared in both Bangkok and Myanmar. As inspections continue to assess the damage to buildings throughout the city, safety remains a priority for officials and residents alike.

Original Source: timesofoman.com