Five Killed, Dozens Injured as Concrete Beam Collapses at Bangkok Construction Site
In a tragic incident early Saturday morning, five construction workers were killed and 22 others injured when a concrete beam from an under-construction expressway bridge collapsed in the Chom Thong district of Bangkok. The accident occurred near Rama II Road, close to the Rama III-Dao Khanong expressway, sending shockwaves through the community and raising serious concerns about construction safety standards.
The collapse happened at approximately 1:48 AM near Rama II Soi 25, about 200 meters from an expressway entrance. A massive concrete beam, part of the under-construction bridge, gave way and fell onto an existing expressway structure below. At the time of the incident, more than 20 workers were on-site, many of whom were trapped under the rubble.
Emergency services, including rescue teams from the Bangkok Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, rushed to the scene. Using sniffer dogs and specialized equipment, they worked tirelessly to locate and extricate survivors from the debris.
As of 7:00 AM, authorities confirmed that five workers had lost their lives, while 22 others sustained injuries of varying severity. The injured were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with workers screaming for help and rescuers scrambling to clear the rubble. Preliminary investigations suggest that the collapse may have been caused by structural instability or construction errors, though a full investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Here you see accident from above. The news says 7 dead now. The concrete pillars I where the highway will be but it collapsed. Bangkok Rama II last night pic.twitter.com/nA98Mva6DD
— Personal Thailand (@PersonalThai) March 15, 2025
The Bang Mod Police and construction site managers are cooperating with investigators to piece together the events leading up to the collapse. Authorities have also ordered a temporary halt to construction activities at the site and other similar projects in the area to conduct safety inspections.
The incident has sparked outrage among labor rights groups, who are calling for stricter enforcement of construction safety regulations and better working conditions for laborers.
The Rama III-Dao Khanong expressway project is part of a broader effort to alleviate traffic congestion in Bangkok, a city notorious for its heavy traffic. However, this incident underscores the need to balance progress with safety.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have pledged to take appropriate action against those found responsible for negligence. Meanwhile, efforts are being made to support the victims and their families, including providing financial assistance and counseling services.
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Note: Rama II Road is a major thoroughfare in Bangkok, connecting the city to the southern provinces, and is frequently used for large-scale infrastructure projects.
-Thailand News (TN)
