Bangkok: The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported progress on the 1-month anniversary of the search for missing persons and the dismantling of the collapsed Office of the Auditor General building, finding more bodies. They are moving forward with the plan to quickly go down to the basement. They confirmed that the entire area will be cleared by May.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, revealed the progress of the demolition of the Office of the Auditor General’s Building, which today marks the 1-month anniversary of the incident. He said that officials have now reduced the height of the structure to an average of approximately 1.37 meters. If you look at the front of the structure, you can see the walls of the basement. If you measure the level from the side of the building, which is at the same level as the first floor, you will see that the height of the front structure is now equal to the first floor. Only the back structure remains, which is still steeply sloped. Today’s plan is to quickly remove the collapsed structural parts at Zone C near the parking garage to allow officials access to the basement.

As for the rescue of those trapped under the rubble last night, officials were able to rescue one more person from Zone D and found five more pieces of debris in the rubble. At the same time, another piece of debris was found in a pile of cement debris.

For the problems found, the officers still have to continuously adjust the work plan, such as increasing the number of officers in some zones that require manpower, adjusting the machinery to be in line with the height and area. Today, the plan will be adjusted to withdraw the SK-1000 backhoe or Majin Buu from the area because the current structure is lower than the sensor level that the machinery can inspect. There will be an additional impact backhoe instead. Over the past 30 days, I am quite satisfied with the work results. I have to admit that the collapse of the building, which cannot be dug to the basement after this, cannot be assessed because there are obstacles. The concrete is complete. Some areas have broken debris, which are different problems. But initially, the goal is to work 1 meter per day. If it can be done, the work will be completed faster. But I confirm that by May, the entire area will definitely be cleared.