BANGKOK. A tragic accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday when an elevated road under construction in southwestern Bangkok collapsed, killing at least five people and injuring 24 others, according to Thai officials.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed the fatalities, stating that four workers and an engineer lost their lives in the incident. He assured the public that compensation would be provided to the victims’ families by contractors and relevant agencies. Fortunately, no motorists were affected as traffic lanes near the construction zone had been closed.
Bangkok police commander Siam Boonsom announced that authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse. “Legal actions will be pursued against those found responsible,” he stated.
Images from the scene show large metal and concrete structures strewn across the roadway, completely blocking access. Emergency crews are working to clear the debris, though officials estimate the process may take up to a week.
The collapsed section was part of a 5-kilometer (3-mile) elevated road project that began in 2022, overseen by the Expressway Authority of Thailand. The agency’s governor, Surachet Laophulsuk, stated that contractors involved in the construction have been suspended for 14 days pending the results of the investigation.
Thailand has long struggled with road and construction safety issues. The affected project is a crucial part of a major road connecting Bangkok to the country’s southern provinces, which has faced criticism for delays and recurring fatal accidents.
In response to the incident, Suriya revealed that the transportation ministry is finalizing new regulations to hold contractors accountable. “Contractors found liable for construction accidents will be suspended and blacklisted from bidding on future government projects,” he said.
Authorities continue to assess the structural integrity of the remaining sections of the elevated road, aiming to prevent further tragedies as investigations progress.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
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- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
