A Chinese construction firm is under investigation following the collapse of a Bangkok skyscraper after a powerful earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday. The 30-storey high-rise building, which was under construction in the Thai capital, crumbled, killing at least 17 people and leaving dozens trapped under the debris, as per reports from The Telegraph.
The collapsed structure, located near Chatuchak market, was intended to be a luxury residential and commercial complex. The site had been under construction for nearly three years and was nearing completion. Engineers had previously raised concerns about its structural integrity, citing rapid construction schedules and inadequate materials in some sections, the report said. Witnesses reported hearing loud cracking noises before the building gave way, sending concrete and steel debris crashing onto the streets below.
Also read: Why a 33-storey high-rise in Thailand collapsed?
The 7.7-magnitude quake, with its epicentre near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, caused widespread devastation, toppling buildings, bridges, and roads. Over 1,600 people have been confirmed dead in Myanmar, with thousands more missing, according to local reports. The tremors were also felt across neighbouring Thailand, where structural damage was reported in multiple regions.
Rescue efforts in Bangkok have been focused on retrieving survivors from the collapsed skyscraper. Sniffer dogs and thermal imaging drones have been deployed, while engineers assess over 165 other damaged buildings. Most of the victims were construction workers, and authorities have been examining the safety standards at the site. Thai officials are now looking into whether negligence by the Chinese company involved in the skyscraper’s construction played a role in the collapse, The Telegraph reported. The firm had previously faced scrutiny over similar projects in other Southeast Asian nations, raising further concerns about safety compliance.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, relief efforts remain severely hampered by ongoing civil conflict. The ruling junta, in a rare move, has appealed for international aid, acknowledging the disaster’s scale. However, anti-regime forces, who control large parts of the country, have announced a temporary ceasefire to allow for rescue operations. Despite this, reports indicate that military airstrikes continued over the weekend, complicating relief efforts.
Residents in Mandalay, the hardest-hit city, have been working tirelessly to clear rubble by hand in search of survivors. A Buddhist examination hall, where over 180 monks were taking an exam when the quake struck, collapsed, leaving many trapped. Rescuers have so far pulled out 21 survivors, with many more feared buried beneath the debris.
With medical facilities overwhelmed and clean water scarce, aid organisations warn of worsening conditions. As per The Telegraph, hospitals are struggling to cope with the surge in casualties, while shortages of medical supplies are adding to the crisis.
