Report Rescuers Recover 13 More Bodies from Collapsed SAO Building in Bangkok

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In a grim update, rescuers have retrieved 13 additional bodies from the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok, raising the tragic death toll to 74. The collapse has also resulted in nine injuries, and around 20 individuals are still missing.

 

The bodies were discovered using heavy machinery in Zone D of the collapse site, with additional remains detected, including small body parts. In total, there are 41 cases identified in this area, according to Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office.

 

Efforts to access Zone C have been challenging, slowed by a four-metre height of rubble and concerns over the stability of the remaining structure. It's believed that a walkway from the third floor may have fallen into a deeper area, potentially trapping more victims.

 

To tackle these obstacles, the rescuers have expanded their use of machinery to reach the difficult-to-access areas beneath the debris. The search operations will continue unabated until the clearing of debris is finalised, expected by the end of the month.

 

Amidst the ongoing rescue efforts, the focus has turned to investigating the building structure's integrity. The 30-storey SAO headquarters, a 2.1-billion-baht project, was the sole skyscraper in Bangkok to collapse following an earthquake centred in Myanmar on March 28. Preliminary investigations have highlighted that the elevator shafts' walls are notably thinner compared to other similar high-rise constructions.

 

In response, the area has been secured to facilitate engineers from the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning in examining the elevator shafts and structural stability for potential evidence of the collapse's cause.

 

As the city grapples with this tragedy, efforts to locate the missing and ensure the safety of the area continue with urgency. The situation remains dynamic as authorities seek answers and strive to bring closure to the affected families.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-02