THE HUGE pile of State Audit building that collapsed during the massive earthquake on March 28 has now been levelled off at 4.5 metres, approximately 1.47 metres lower than yesterday, while search for remaining 34 missing persons continues, TV Channel 7 and INN News said today (Apr. 25).
Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s Bangkok office, said with the rubble reduced to 4.5 metres the height of Zones A-D and B-C are now almost the same. This is in line with the plan that the first floor of the collapsed building be accessible by the end of this month.
Yesterday a problem cropped up over moving the debris with fewer trucks running as the road has opened to the public and the distance has increased from around one to two kilometres. Today, Italian-Thai Development Plc added four more 10-wheel trucks with the military asked to send 10 drivers working five per shift.
Three more bodies were also found yesterday at the fire escape next to the elevator shaft, during the day the body of a female victim was found and from evening to night two more bodies were recovered, whose gender have not been identified.
Rescuers also picked up a watch and expect to find more bodies as they dig deeper. Currently, the death toll is 60, nine injured and 34 missing out of a total of 103 victims.
Suriyachai also said that once the first floor is reached, the plan will be adjusted from removing debris from the top to lifting it out from the basement, with basement walls in zones A and D being opened up to make the work easier.
He confirmed that none of the victims would be left behind.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has extended the time for earthquake victims to request assistance by five days, with the deadline moved from April 27 to May 2.
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Top and Front Page: Rescue workers clearing the huge pile of rubble from the collapsed State Audit building. Photos: Amarin TV
Insert Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s Bangkok office, talking to the press. Photo: INN News
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