The tragic collapse has claimed numerous lives, prompting an extensive investigation into the construction practices surrounding the ill-fated building.
**Seventeen Arrest Warrants Issued Following Bangkok Tower Collapse Amid Earthquake**
**Seventeen Arrest Warrants Issued Following Bangkok Tower Collapse Amid Earthquake**
A court in Thailand has issued 17 arrest warrants for individuals linked to a collapsed skyscraper after a significant earthquake.
In a move following the catastrophic collapse of a 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok, a local court has issued 17 arrest warrants for individuals implicated in the tower's design and construction. The building, which was intended to serve as the State Audit Office, fell victim to a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck neighboring Myanmar in March.
Authorities confirmed the recovery of 89 bodies from the building's debris, with seven individuals still unaccounted for. The police have embarked on a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the building's failure, targeting those involved in its construction, design, and oversight. Among the named suspects is businessman Premchai Karnasuta, the former president of Italian-Thai Development PLC, one of the nation’s most significant construction firms.
Reports indicate that investigators discovered structural deficiencies, specifically within a lift shaft. However, comprehensive findings regarding the incident's root causes have yet to be disclosed by Thai officials. Dramatic video footage captured during the earthquake depicted high-rise buildings in the city swaying violently, with water cascading from rooftop pools onto the streets below.
While the earthquake, which occurred on March 28, resulted in over 3,000 fatalities and more than 4,500 injuries in Myanmar, its effects were felt in Bangkok, where most buildings maintained structural integrity except for the State Audit Office. This glass-and-steel tower had been under construction for three years and had already amassed significant costs exceeding two billion Thai baht (approximately $59 million).
At the time of the collapse, over 400 workers were present on the site, prompting a large-scale rescue operation that utilized drones, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery. The search and rescue efforts continue, as authorities strive to locate any survivors trapped within the debris. The event has raised urgent questions regarding construction safety standards and regulatory practices in Thailand.
Authorities confirmed the recovery of 89 bodies from the building's debris, with seven individuals still unaccounted for. The police have embarked on a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the building's failure, targeting those involved in its construction, design, and oversight. Among the named suspects is businessman Premchai Karnasuta, the former president of Italian-Thai Development PLC, one of the nation’s most significant construction firms.
Reports indicate that investigators discovered structural deficiencies, specifically within a lift shaft. However, comprehensive findings regarding the incident's root causes have yet to be disclosed by Thai officials. Dramatic video footage captured during the earthquake depicted high-rise buildings in the city swaying violently, with water cascading from rooftop pools onto the streets below.
While the earthquake, which occurred on March 28, resulted in over 3,000 fatalities and more than 4,500 injuries in Myanmar, its effects were felt in Bangkok, where most buildings maintained structural integrity except for the State Audit Office. This glass-and-steel tower had been under construction for three years and had already amassed significant costs exceeding two billion Thai baht (approximately $59 million).
At the time of the collapse, over 400 workers were present on the site, prompting a large-scale rescue operation that utilized drones, sniffer dogs, and heavy machinery. The search and rescue efforts continue, as authorities strive to locate any survivors trapped within the debris. The event has raised urgent questions regarding construction safety standards and regulatory practices in Thailand.
