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Bangkok Governor Reveals Possible Rescue During Night Search at Collapsed Building Site (April 2nd)
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt revealed that a call for help was heard during the search operation in Zone B last night (April 2nd).
The rescue and search operation for those missing under the rubble of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building construction site, which fell due to the earthquake on Friday, March 28th, has entered its 7th day. The operation has moved into the stage of using heavy machinery to clear the area, alongside the use of personnel and radar to detect life signs, as well as K9 rescue dogs to confirm victims. This is being done in a “search” alternating with “demolition” approach. Most recently, a response sound and life signs were detected during the search last night.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt gave a press briefing this morning (April 3rd) on the progress of the SAO building collapse rescue operation. He stated that the rescue team detected a response sound and faint life signs that could belong to survivors in the collapsed building. He ordered a temporary halt to the use of heavy machinery to proceed with the rescue efforts.
As of 11:00 AM today (April 3rd), authorities were still searching in the mentioned area.
Heavy machinery, including backhoes, cutters-grabbers, and large cranes, have been deployed to demolish and separate the stacked debris of the building, which is equivalent to the height of a 4-5 story building. This is to expedite the search for those trapped under the rubble. This operation, which began yesterday (April 2nd), differs from the rescue efforts in the first 5 days, where authorities worked with rescue equipment to cut and drill to reach the victims. After being able to clear the area layer by layer, authorities surveyed to search for the remaining 72 missing persons. Governor Chadchart stated that the search for life operations will not be stopped, but there will be an increased use of heavy machinery in a more intensive demolition approach, while simultaneously monitoring for signs of life.
As of 8:00 AM today (April 3rd), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) reported the number of missing persons from the SAO building collapse at 72, with 15 deaths and 9 survivors.
Chadchart Reveals Detection of Survivor Signal
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt gave a press briefing this morning (April 3rd) on the progress of the SAO building collapse rescue operation. He stated that the rescue team detected a response sound and faint life signs that could belong to survivors in the collapsed building and ordered a temporary halt to the use of heavy machinery to proceed with the rescue efforts.
Last night (April 2nd), rescuers used heavy machinery to demolish the building debris and create openings for rescue personnel to search for survivors, following the Governor’s announcement yesterday about adjusting the strategy to begin using heavy machinery in the area.
After the rescue team entered the surveyed area, one officer shouted that they heard a response sound from within the rubble.
“A volunteer from the rescue team shouted and heard a faint response sound. They didn’t believe it, so they sent another person in, who heard the same thing – a faint sound coming back, understood to be a woman’s voice. Still not believing it, they brought in a scanner team, and the scan found what appeared to be traces of a body… Yesterday, the team assessed the situation, and there is still a small hope that there might be survivors,” said Mr. Chadchart, adding that rescue operations were immediately carried out after the verification.
Since the rescue team detected the response sound and faint life signs last night, authorities have continued the search.
However, the Governor revealed the challenges in accessing the identified location, which is said to be near a fire escape. He explained that three concrete slabs, weighing approximately 60 tons, were blocking the entrance, requiring the use of a crane throughout the night until it was successfully cleared this morning. The use of heavy machinery had to be stopped because the vibrations and noise could endanger the officers and hinder the ability to hear potential calls for help.
“It [heavy machinery] will be noisy, making it difficult to hear sounds like ‘Help!’ So, there needs to be silence,” Mr. Chadchart added.
After stopping the use of heavy machinery, manual digging operations began. It is estimated that the depth to the location of the life signal is approximately 3 meters. Although the life signal remains faint and unclear, the rescue team has prepared teams and ambulances in case survivors are found.
Mr. Chadchart also mentioned that K9 rescue units detected life signs in other areas last night, emphasizing that the rescue team is on the right track.
“I believe we are on the right track with what we are doing. At least, our efforts to remove heavy debris and move forward are on the right track, and I believe it has boosted the morale of the team to a certain extent.”
The Governor added that he did not want this to create excessive hope but was merely reporting the actual situation. “I’m not saying we found survivors, not saying that. It’s just that we think we are on the right track. It might not be as fast as people expect, but everything has to be done piece by piece.” He also mentioned that approximately 40-50 officers are prepared to rotate and work continuously.
“There is a small hope that allows us to move forward,” said the Governor, adding that the discovery of the life signal has energized the rescue teams, both from Thailand and internationally, to continue their efforts fully.
4 Factors Making the Rescue Operation at the Collapsed SAO Building Difficult
As the operation enters its 7th day since the incident, there has been criticism regarding the slowness and search methods. BBC Thai has compiled the difficulties and obstacles of the operation, along with explanations from experts on the matter.
Follow the full news report at https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles