Bangkok: More bodies and organs have been discovered under the rubble of the collapsed Office of the Auditor General building, as search operations for missing persons continue. Officials anticipate reaching the first floor by the end of April, while police expedite investigations, questioning over 100 individuals connected to the incident.

According to Thai News Agency, the head of the rescue operation, Mr. Anwut Pho-ampai, revealed that the bodies of four missing persons were discovered-two on the night of April 21 and two more on the afternoon of April 22. Personal documents and shoulder bags found with some of the deceased suggest they were attempting to escape. Flattened helmets led rescuers to locate the bodies, which were identified with the help of family-provided photographs.

Continuous discoveries of bodies and organs are being made, with expectations to reach the first floor of the wreckage by the end of the month. Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, reported that the building’s debris has decreased by an average of 1.17 meters. However, challenges persist due to equipment failures, notably the broken boom of a heavy machine, delaying progress.

Recent recoveries include two bodies found in a stairwell and body parts identified in four separate instances. As of 10:00 a.m. on April 23, 103 victims have been reported, with 53 confirmed dead, 9 injured, and 41 still missing. Organs recovered from three individuals have been sent to the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine for identification.

The police investigation into the building’s collapse is intensifying, with Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat revealing that over 100 individuals have been questioned, including witnesses, relatives, and injured parties. The investigation is scrutinizing incomplete documents and probing into potential forgery of engineers’ signatures.

Furthermore, the interrogation of Mr. Pimol, listed as the building’s designer, indicated his role was limited to consultancy. Investigators are working to expedite the case and issue arrest warrants for those responsible. State Audit Office officials and the construction contractor have been summoned for further questioning as part of the ongoing inquiry.