At least three workers died and 17 others were injured when a six-story building under construction collapsed north of Bangkok, police said Monday, as rescuers searched for an unknown number of missing people.
The planned student accommodation block crashed down at around 4.30pm in the Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, a police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Three construction workers were found dead and 17 injured were rescued,” said the officer.
Rescue workers and police were using cranes to search for any people trapped inside the debris late Monday.
The collapse was captured on video by a motorist’s dashboard camera. In the moments before the collapse, workers can be seen walking inside the structure.
“We can’t say how many are trapped inside but we are working hard to rescue them,” the officer said, adding that police would launch an investigation into why the building collapsed.
Labor groups have warned about lax safety standards and low wages at construction sites, especially for migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, who are often paid below the country’s minimum daily wage.
The nation has seen a building boom in recent years as the property market has soared.
Story: AFP Photo: Jor Sor 100 Radio
10.27น.เร่งนำตัวผู้ติดใต้ซากอาคาร 1 คนที่ยังรอดชีวิต http://t.co/wN615ouMmM #ข่าวPNC pic.twitter.com/1gQxVVLQl9
— js100 (@js100radio) August 12, 2014
