Bangkok: Director of the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, shared updates on the efforts to salvage the collapsed new Office of the Auditor General building. This morning, the building wreckage in Zones A and D was measured at 9.78 meters, while Zones B and C measured 8.58 meters at their highest points, with most areas being about 7 meters lower. In the aftermath, two bodies were discovered yesterday in Zone C’s stairwell, followed by three additional cases. Today, two more bodies were found in the same area.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriyachai reported that 221 truck trips were made yesterday to transport debris, a task that involved separating cement and steel. This allowed for more space on the construction site, facilitating the addition of heavy machinery. To ensure continuous work, it was decided that all 28 heavy machinery units, including backhoes, would be rotated. Personnel from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Department of Public Works, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, and volunteers from Bang Khae and Bang Bon were involved in the operation. The goal is to reach the first floor within the remaining 8 days.

Mr. Suriyachai stated that the current heat is not expected to hinder operations, as the heavy machinery cabins are air-conditioned, and water is being sprayed to reduce dust and temperature. Hence, staff should not face any issues in this regard.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Watee Aswutmangkur, Commander of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, discussed ongoing efforts with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation regarding the pending bodies. Of the estimated 50 bodies, 37 have been released, and 3 more were returned to relatives yesterday. Five bodies remain under consideration for release. Although more than 100 body parts have been collected, the assembly is incomplete. Efforts are being made to release the bodies when possible, as relatives await. Pol. Maj. Gen. Watee assured that 99% of the cases have been identified and can be returned to families.

Regarding evidence collection, Pol. Maj. Gen. Watee mentioned that the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is managing the process within the specified timeframe. The Forensic Science Division collaborates with other agencies, such as the Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning and the Ministry of Industry, to gather evidence. Without complete evidence, the cause of the building collapse remains undetermined.