Tragedy strikes as elevated road construction collapses in Bangkok
- An elevated road construction in Bangkok faced a catastrophic collapse in the early morning hours, killing at least five individuals.
- Injuries occurred to at least 24 others at the site, leading to ongoing investigations by authorities.
- The government is taking steps to improve construction safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.
In Thailand's capital, Bangkok, an elevated road under construction collapsed early on Saturday, 15 March, resulting in tragic fatalities. Reports indicate that the collapse occurred in the early morning hours, and at least five people lost their lives, including four construction workers and one engineer. The incident also left 24 others injured. Notably, there were no road users affected since the nearby traffic lanes were closed during construction activities. The Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims' families and mentioned that the contractors, along with relevant agencies, would provide compensation to the affected individuals. As part of the ongoing investigation, Bangkok police commander Siam Boonsom stated that authorities are working to ascertain the cause of the collapse and that they would take legal action against those deemed responsible. The construction site, a significant part of a major road linking Bangkok to the southern regions of Thailand, has faced public scrutiny due to concerns surrounding safety and delays. The elevated road's construction had commenced in 2022 and was already controversial, having been a frequent site for fatal incidents over the years. In response to the recent disaster, the governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, Surachet Laophulsuk, announced that contractors involved in the project would be suspended for 14 days while investigations take place. The tragedy underscores a systemic problem regarding construction safety in Thailand, where regulations and enforcement have been questioned. In light of this incident, the transportation ministry is actively pursuing new regulations to address construction safety concerns, aiming to create accountability by suspending contractors who are found liable for such incidents and preventing them from participating in future government projects. Clearing the debris from the site is a priority, and it could take up to a week to ensure the area is safe and accessible once again.