Debris diminished; additional victims surfacing at the catastrophe scene

** update on the rubble-filled State Audit Office (SAO) tower in Bangkok**

Good news for rescuers as they're about to dive into the debris, with the height of the rubble at the collapsed SAO tower significantly decreased.

In a briefing held on Wednesday, Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) disaster prevention and mitigation office, shared the progress of the operation.

It appears that, on average, the debris has been reduced by around a metre, with the pile in Zone A and Zone D now sitting at 9.35 metres (from 9.78 metres) and Zone B and Zone C at 7.41 metres (down from 8.58 metres). This means that by the end of this month, the rescue teams should reach the first floor of the 30-storey building located in Chatuchak district.

To expedite the debris removal process, heavy machinery will be used in the basement, which is approximately 40x40x40 metres. The concrete piles blocking the way will be cleared, and the task should be completed swiftly, as Mr. Suriyachai promised.

Rescuers discovered two more bodies on the stairway of the collapsed building around 10 am on Wednesday, raising the confirmed death toll to 53. There are currently nine injured survivors and 41 individuals still missing. In total, approximately 103 construction workers were involved in the project.

Since the unfinished SAO tower collapsed without warning during the March 28 earthquake, rescue teams have endured several challenges in their quest to locate the victims buried beneath the debris. Despite these difficulties, their commitment to find every missing individual remains unwavering.

Investigations are ongoing to examine construction flaws such as reduced elevator shaft wall thickness, which may have contributed to the tower's collapse. International teams have also been lending a helping hand in scanning the site. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for a successful conclusion to this rescue operation.

additional insights:- Progress of the operation: The debris height has decreased from 27 metres post-collapse (March 28) to an average of 7.88 metres as of April 24, equivalent to the sixth floor. Rescuers aim to reach the fire escape zone, where trapped victims may still be found, approximately 2 metres deeper.- Victim statistics: 56-60 individuals have been confirmed dead, with 9 survivors discharged from hospitals and 34-38 individuals still missing.- Recent Recoveries: One additional body was retrieved on April 23, with remains of approximately five more victims detected.- Investigation: Authorities are examining construction flaws, including reduced elevator shaft wall thickness, as a potential contributing factor. International teams have also been assisting in site scanning.

The debris within the rubble-filled State Audit Office (SAO) tower in Bangkok has, on average, been lowered by approximately a meter, with Zone A and Zone D now standing at 9.35 meters, and Zone B and Zone C at 7.41 meters.
To speed up the debris removal process, heavy machinery will be employed in the basement of the building, with the goal of clearing concrete piles and completing the task promptly.
The general news is filled with reports of accidents, fires, and car-accidents, but the prevention of such incidents is crucial, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) disaster prevention and mitigation office is working diligently to ensure safety in times of emergency.
The uncovering of two more bodies on the stairway of the collapsed building around 10 am on Wednesday has brought the confirmed death toll to 53, with 41 individuals still missing and nine survivors who have been discharged from hospitals.