An old car showroom building being demolished collapsed, with two workers confirmed killed and two missing, believed trapped in the rubble, in Sukhumvit Soi 87 in Bangkok on Friday.
Video by Somchai Poomlard
The incident happened shortly after 9am. The old eight-storey Mitsubishi auto showroom is near the Phra Khanong district office and Wells International School, where the students were quickly evacuated.
Eight people were initially reported caught in the building collapse, with one man confirmed killed and rescuers looking for others believed trapped in the rubble.
Local people said a breaker backhoe was operating in the parking lot of the old building when it collapsed. The driver was killed.
Bangkok deputy governor Jakkrapan Phiewngarm said in the afternoon that two people were confirmed dead, with two workers still missing, believed trapped in the concrete rubble.
Local officials said the premises were being demolished to make way for construction of a new buildng. The district office had recently ordered the suspension of the demolition after receiving complaints about dust and debris falling into the street and onto vehicles.
Bangkok police chief Sanit Mahathavorn said at the scene that the demolition contractor had assigned a sub-contractor to do the job.
He said the operators had defied the district office’s suspension order.
The nearby school is evacuated. (Photo by Somchai Poomlard)