Unfinished Buddha Statue Collapses in Amnat Charoen, Killing One Monk & Injuring Six Others

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture captured from CCTV.

 

The incident occurred at Wat Kaeng Khan Sung, a temple in Moo 3, Ban Khan Sung, Chanuman District, Amnat Charoen Province, when an unfinished Buddha statue in the walking posture collapsed. The incident, which occurred around midday on November 29, resulted in the death of one monk and injuries to six others.

 

Police Lieutenant Sombat Inlert of Chanuman Police Station received the report from local residents and immediately dispatched authorities to the scene. The collapsed statue, which stood 9 metres tall and was still under construction, left debris of concrete, steel, and moulds scattered across the area.

 

The deceased was identified as Phra Patipha Udomlipha, the monk leading the construction. The injured included two monks and four novice monks, who were rushed to Chanuman Hospital for treatment.

 

According to Phra Khru Wirachet Chinnawongso, the abbot of Wat Kaeng Khan Sung, the statue was being built to serve as a place of worship for locals and tourists visiting the temple, which is located along the banks of the Mekong River. The area is a popular destination, home to a well-known riverside restaurant owned by singer Aem Chonnicha.

 

Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapse occurred because the concrete had not fully set. It was reported that workers hurried to remove the mould to reuse it for another project, despite the risk of structural instability. Compounding the situation, strong winter winds may have added to the pressure, causing the statue to give way.

 

The abbot expressed regret over the tragedy, attributing the collapse to the urgency of the construction team to expedite the process.

 

Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

 

-- 2024-12-01

 

[watchcat]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Phra Patipha Udomlipha, the monk leading the construction.

 

Did he have a construction degree?