11 workers dead, 18 injured in Thai building collapse
February 25, 2014
Thai police officers inspect the site of an explosion during an anti-government protest at Khao Saming district, Trat province February 23, 2014. — Reuters pic
BANGKOK, Feb 25 — At least 11 workers died and 18 others were injured when a large concrete beam collapsed today at a construction site just outside Bangkok, police said.
Two of the injured were in a critical condition in hospital, said Apiwat Kasorn of the Bang Phli police, a district in the province bordering Bangkok.
Most of the bodies had now been pulled from rubble at the construction site for a public hospital, although one of the dead workers was yet to be retrieved.
“Seven workers died at the scene and four died in hospital,” Apiwat said, adding the victims were both Thais and migrant workers.
A team of volunteer rescuers put the death toll at 10 as of tody’s afternoon, adding they were using a digger to remove debris in the search for more bodies.
Labour groups have warned about lax safety standards and low wages at Thai construction sites, especially for migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, who are often paid below the country’s minimum daily wage of US$9.20.
The nation has seen a building boom over recent years as the property market has soared. — AFP
