TOMB OF CONCRETE

THE COLLAPSE OF SKY VILLA CONDOMINIUM IN MANDALAY IS JUST ONE OF MANY TRAILS OF DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND DESPERATE RESCUE EFFORTS

- STORY: SUI-LEE WEE / NYT

Thailand's search and rescue dogs are taking on the role of emotional support animals for grieving relative victims of a Bangkok skyscraper flattened by deadly earthquake.

The 10-story, high-rise tower construction collapsed in seconds on Friday when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck neighbouring Myanmar, with effects felt as far away as the Thai capital.

As of Tuesday 13 people -- thought to be on-site construction workers -- were pronounced dead, with nine injured and more than 70 still believed to be buried in the rubble.

But their tearful families waited near the scene of the collapse, watching on with hopes fading as rescue workers and diggers scraped through the mountain of rubble.

Their faces lit up when they saw golden retrievers Lek and Safari -- decked out in official search uniforms -- brought to the relatives' waiting area.

Several canine teams have been deployed to help the search and rescue operation at the site, including from the military and police.

Rescue workers have recruited 11 dogs -- not just in their usual capacity sniffing through the debris for signs of life, but also as emotional support for victims' friends and relatives.