Bangkok: The Director of the Office of the Auditor General expects the mission to salvage the collapsed Office of the Auditor General building to be completed by the end of this month. The building, which experienced a structural failure, is undergoing a methodical dismantling process.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suriyachai Rawiwan, Director of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, shared updates on the progress of the salvage operation. The drone team from the Disaster Response Association has conducted inspections, noting that Zones A and D have been reduced to a height of 7.88 meters, while Zones C and B now stand at 6.54 meters. The reduction in height is part of the ongoing effort to reach the first floor by the end of April. The storage area for scrap cement and scrap metal has been managed to accommodate the debris, ensuring that operations can proceed efficiently.

The first floor, which is approximately 4 meters deep and connects to the parking lot, was inspected and found to be intact, with no sinking detected in the basement. Prior to the collapse, workers were believed to be present on the first floor, and efforts are underway to ascertain their status. A water pipe for the cooling system was discovered, potentially indicating the path to the fire escape.

The operation has faced challenges with machinery, as steel components have damaged glass and eight vehicles. Repairs are ongoing, including fixing hydraulic lines and replacing shattered glass. A broken boom truck has been withdrawn for assessment and repair.

Yesterday, one deceased body and five other cases were discovered. The expectation is that more victims will be found as the team progresses to the first floor. To facilitate the removal of debris, both gas cutters and a team of technicians are employed, with special units working overnight to clear the area for the morning team.

Mr. Suriyachai emphasized the strategic approach of working from the top and sides of the debris pile, focusing on Zones A and D. The goal is to reach the first floor by removing the topmost layers first, then addressing the sides to prevent delays, given the original building’s size of 40×40 meters.