Search for bodies at fallen SAO ends

»Efforts to recover the bodies of those lost in the collapse of the 2.1-billion-baht State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok-triggered by the 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on March 28 — have concluded, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said yesterday.

- WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Bangkok authorities have completed the final stage of search operations at the site, with no additional bodies found.

Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the BMA's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, said the search teams had reached all six lift shafts below the basement level, confirming that no more human remains were located.

"The search operations, involving 57 rescue workers and five K-9 units, have now ended," Mr Suriyachai said.

The site will be officially handed back to the SAO on May 15, once site clearance is completed.

Human remains, including bones and skulls, were recovered during recent operations and sent to the Police General Hospital's forensics team for DNA testing, he added.