Survivor recounts horror of Bangkok skyscraper collapse after earthquake: Video
A Burmese construction worker tearfully recounted his harrowing escape from death after a 30-storey skyscraper in Bangkok collapsed in mere seconds following a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand.
The devastating incident has left families anxiously awaiting news of their missing loved ones, as rescue efforts continue at the site of the fallen building.
Khin Aung, a 40-year-old survivor, is among those desperately searching for missing relatives. His brother was working inside the building when it crumbled, and he clings to the hope that he may still be found alive.
"When I went outside, I saw dust everywhere, and I just ran to escape from the collapsing building," Khin Aung told AFP. "I video-called my brother and my friends, but only one picked up the phone. I couldn’t see his face, but I heard him running. At the time, the building was shaking and had not yet fallen, but while I was on the call with him, I lost the connection - and then the building collapsed."
Emergency responders have transported at least 20 injured workers to the hospital, but Khin Aung remains uncertain whether his brother and friends are among them.
"I hope my brother and friends are in the hospital," he said. "But if they are trapped under the rubble, time is running out. If we don’t find them immediately, by tomorrow morning, there will be no hope left."
As night falls, distressed families gather at the disaster site, desperate for any sign of life. Among them is Chanpen Kaewnoi, who is awaiting news of her missing mother and sister.
"Yesterday, I heard the building collapsed. I worried about my sister and kept trying to call her, but there was no signal," Chanpen said. "Their colleague called me and said she couldn’t find my mum and my sister, who were with her on the fifth floor."
