30-Storey Skyscraper Collapses in Bangkok After 7.7-Magnitude Myanmar Earthquake, Trapped Worker Pleads for Help | Videos
A devastating earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale struck Myanmar on Friday, triggering tremors across the region and causing a dramatic collapse of a 30-storey under-construction skyscraper in Bangkok. The powerful quake was followed by an intense aftershock of magnitude 6.4, further intensifying the impact.
Tremors Felt Across Borders
The seismic activity was not confined to Myanmar, as neighbouring countries, including Thailand, experienced significant tremors. The violent shaking led to widespread panic, with people evacuating buildings in fear of structural damage.
43 Workers Trapped Amid the Rubble
According to AFP reports, 43 people were trapped as the towering structure crumbled. Multiple videos circulating on social media captured the shocking moment the building gave way, sending clouds of dust and debris into the air.
Shocking Visuals Capture the Devastation
Several video clips showcased the immediate effects of the earthquake, including lamp posts swaying on the streets and the skyscraper collapsing in real-time. Another chilling clip depicted people fleeing for their lives as the high-rise structure was reduced to ruins.
Close-up footage also captured the exact moment of the catastrophic collapse in Bangkok. However, News18 could not independently verify the authenticity of the visuals.
Heartbreaking Plea for Help
One particularly distressing video featured a worker trapped beneath the wreckage, desperately crying for assistance. The emotional clip underscored the dire situation faced by those buried under the debris.
In another startling video, a swimming pool atop a high-rise building could be seen overflowing as the quake's tremors rippled through the area.
Emergency Response and Official Reactions
The National Center for Seismology confirmed that the earthquake struck at approximately 11:50 am at a depth of 10 km. Despite the magnitude of the quake, there were no immediate reports of casualties.
In response to the disaster, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cut short an official visit to Phuket to convene an “urgent meeting" to assess the crisis, as stated in a post on X. Authorities in Bangkok also declared a state of emergency to manage the aftermath.
Meanwhile, in Myanmar, emergency teams were mobilized to assess damage and search for casualties. Reuters quoted an officer from the Myanmar Fire Services Department as stating, “We have started the search and going around Yangon to check for casualties and damage. So far, we have no information yet."
Eyewitnesses in Yangon reported chaotic scenes as frightened residents rushed out of buildings, fearing potential aftershocks. The full extent of the damage remains uncertain, but authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
The catastrophe serves as a grim reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic events and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness in earthquake-prone regions.