Rescuers in Thailand and abroad scrambled to find survivors of the collapsed office tower in Bangkok, but hope began to dwindle as the clock ticked past the 72-hour mark. A channel into the basement was discovered on Sunday night, leading to a wide-open space where workers may have lived through Friday’s massive earthquake. However, when rescuers entered the room, it was empty.
Around a dozen international teams, including those from Thailand, China, the US, and Israel, joined forces to search for survivors. Infrared sensors detected potential signs of life on Monday morning, but nothing was found by the time the “golden window” had passed. The situation remained dire, with over 80 workers still trapped under the rubble.
Many families waited anxiously for news, submitting DNA samples in hopes of identifying remains. Community support poured in as volunteers provided food, water, and mental health services to those affected. As the search entered its third day, emotions began to take a toll on those left behind.
“We thought for sure we’d find someone,” said Piyalux Thinkaew, chief of operations for the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. “But now hope is dimming. We’re very disappointed.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/world/asia/collapsed-bangkok-building-rescue-earthquake.html