Bangkok officials have discovered four more bodies in the collapse of the State Audit Office (SAO) building following a recent earthquake, raising the total number of fatalities to 41. Meanwhile, 53 individuals are still reported missing.
Efforts to clear the rubble are approximately halfway complete as rescue operations continue.
In a recent press conference, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DPMM) provided updates on the aftermath of the SAO building collapse in the Chatuchak district of Bangkok.
As of 10 am on April 14, the disaster has claimed 103 victims. Overnight, four more bodies were recovered, raising the death toll to 41. Additionally, there are 9 injured and 53 individuals remain missing.
Last night, rescue operations extended to areas B4 and C1, following signals of faint light previously detected there.
Rescue teams have removed large beams and dug out a space 4 meters deep and 5 meters wide, enhancing the search efforts of K-9 units and rescue workers. Unfortunately, this search yielded no signs of life.
To date, debris clearance has reached the 50% mark. Despite the ongoing Songkran holiday, emergency teams are still fully operational.
Heavy machinery is continuously at work, with teams monitoring every sector. Dust control measures include regular water spraying, and manual searches are conducted during breaks in machinery use.
BMA spokesperson Ekwaranyu Amrapal announced the deployment of psychologists and interpreters to aid both the rescue teams and the relatives of those affected.
By 3 pm on April 13, a total of 23,405 building damage reports had been filed. The districts most affected include Chatuchak with 3,080 cases, Huai Khwang with 2,580, Bang Sue with 2,501, Phasi Charoen with 2,067, and Thonburi with 1,140.
Starting April 10, all 50 district offices began the process of scheduling building inspections and assessing damage, continuing these activities through the Songkran holiday. Access has been limited, however, due to the absence of many residents.
Authorities are encouraging property owners to contact their district offices upon their return.
Victims seeking financial assistance are advised to apply at their local district office within 30 days of the incident, with a deadline of April 27, 2025. Police presence at all district offices during office hours supports the process of filing official reports.
Damage evaluations will be conducted by committees at the district level and submitted to the BMA’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Once approved, cases will proceed to the national-level Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation for financial aid.
