A construction worker recounted on Saturday (March 29) how he narrowly escaped death when a 30-storey skyscraper collapsed in Bangkok after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand the day before. The disaster has left at least five dead and dozens missing, with frantic rescue efforts underway to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
The tower, which was under construction to house government offices, crumbled within seconds as a 7.7-magnitude earthquake sent shockwaves through the region. Eyewitnesses described scenes of terror as the structure buckled, leaving a mountain of twisted metal and concrete where the building once stood.
Khin Aung, a 32-year-old construction worker from Myanmar, was among those who narrowly escaped the disaster. His younger brother, also a construction worker, was inside the building when the quake hit.
“When my shift ended around 1 p.m., I went outside to get water,” Khin Aung recounted. “I saw my younger brother just before I left the building. Then, within minutes, the ground shook violently, and dust filled the air. I turned around, and the building was collapsing.”
Desperate, Khin Aung tried calling his brother and colleagues. “One of my friends picked up the phone, but I couldn’t see his face. I only heard the sound of running before the call cut off,” he said. “Then, in the blink of an eye, everything was gone.”
The earthquake, centered in Myanmar, was one of the most powerful to hit the region in decades. The ruling junta in Myanmar reported over 694 deaths, with the toll rising as rescue efforts continued. In Thailand, tremors were felt as far as Bangkok, shaking buildings and sending people rushing into the streets.
Authorities believe up to 100 workers may still be trapped under the debris. While five fatalities have been confirmed, the number is expected to rise as rescuers dig through the wreckage.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly through Saturday night, using cranes and excavators to remove slabs of concrete. The operation is fraught with danger, as further collapses remain a real threat.
Chanpen Kaewnoi, a 39-year-old Thai woman, waited anxiously at the site for news of her mother and sister, who were inside the building when it collapsed.
“My colleague called and said she couldn’t find my mum or my sister,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. “I think maybe my mum slipped, and my sister stayed behind to help her. I still have hope, maybe 50 percent.”
As families clung to hope, tensions at the site ran high. Some shouted at rescue teams to move faster, while others simply sat in silence, staring at the rubble.
Bangkok’s skyline is constantly evolving, with old buildings torn down and new ones rising in their place. The relentless construction boom is powered by thousands of migrant workers, many from Myanmar, who seek better wages and stability in Thailand.
Khin Aung and his brother had been working in Bangkok for six months, sending money home to their families. Now, he faces an agonizing wait for news.
“I heard that 20 workers were sent to the hospital, but I don’t know who they are. If my brother is in the hospital, I still have hope. But if he’s under that building, there is no hope,” he said.
The collapse has renewed concerns over building safety and construction regulations in Thailand. Experts have pointed out that many construction projects prioritize speed over structural integrity, putting workers’ lives at risk.
Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wattanakul visited the site on Saturday, promising a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
“This is a tragedy that should never have happened. We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” he said.
Authorities are also coordinating with Myanmar’s embassy in Bangkok to provide support for affected migrant workers and their families.
