Rescuers Detect Signs of Life Under Bangkok Skyscraper Rubble Following Deadly Earthquake

Sat Dec 20 2025 18:15:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

At least 15 survivors might be trapped under debris after the collapse of a skyscraper in Bangkok caused by a devastating earthquake.

A massive earthquake has left at least 15 people believed to be alive under the ruins of a collapsed skyscraper in Bangkok, with ongoing rescue efforts facing significant challenges. The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.7, caused extensive damage in Myanmar and affected neighboring countries including Thailand.

At least 15 individuals are believed to be alive beneath the wreckage of a Bangkok skyscraper that collapsed after a significant earthquake rattled the region. Rescuers have noted signs of life and managed to establish communication with some of the survivors trapped under the 10-storey pile of debris. The earthquake, which struck Myanmar and Thailand with a magnitude of 7.7, occurred on Friday, resulting in over a thousand reported deaths at the epicenter near Mandalay, with the impacts felt as far away as Bangkok, China, and India.

The powerful quake reportedly affected hundreds of construction workers still unaccounted for, drawing a rescue effort into its second day. The building that collapsed was under construction and was located near Chatuchak market, a popular tourist spot. Among the roughly 400 workers present on site, officials state that at least 96 remain missing, with eight confirmed deaths and a further eight individuals injured. Many of those working on the site were migrants from Myanmar, contributing significantly to the construction workforce in Thailand.

Throughout the night, drones, and sniffer dogs were deployed alongside cranes and excavators to aid ongoing rescue operations. By midday, officials revealed they had detected at least 15 individuals alive beneath the rubble at depths of approximately 5 to 10 meters. Ko Myint Kyaw, a construction worker who witnessed the collapse, recounted jumping to safety as the building crumbled, leaving parts of the structure still precariously collapsing.

As rescue teams worked diligently under increasingly challenging conditions, information gradually emerged regarding the survivors as they communicated with rescuers through cries and movements. Authorities have urged the public to continue praying for those trapped and committed to determining the cause of the building's collapse, which remains unknown. Meanwhile, the families of those trapped anxiously wait for news, hopeful yet fearful for the survival of their loved ones. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnweerakul assured reporters that search efforts would persist tirelessly until every possible survivor is located, instilling hope amid the tragedy.