Chaos Erupts in Central Bangkok Following Earthquake
In the heart of Bangkok, a sudden earthquake sent waves of panic through the city, prompting thousands of residents to rush outdoors for safety. In the aftermath, sidewalks, plazas, and streets became densely packed with office workers, shopkeepers, and tourists, all seeking refuge and fearing aftershocks along with potential structural damage to nearby buildings.
Videos shared on social media, subsequently verified by The New York Times, captured the harrowing moment when a building under construction collapsed, leading to a tragic outcome. At least three lives were lost, and rescue efforts were underway as dozens of construction workers were reported trapped under the rubble, according to local authorities.
Rescue workers were seen carrying an injured individual away from the site of the fallen structure, a stark reminder of the disaster’s impact.
Credit: Ann Wang/Reuters
In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Bangkok an “area of emergency.” He urged residents to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution against potential aftershocks. The city’s elevated train system, known as the Skytrain, was promptly shut down, leading to a near-complete standstill of traffic on the major arteries as people attempted to return home.
Many office towers, shopping malls, and hotels swiftly evacuated their employees and guests, prioritizing safety as they conducted inspections to assess any damage before allowing individuals back inside.
Among those affected were Pam Kershaw and her husband, tourists visiting from Melbourne, Australia. They were staying on the 25th floor of the Athenee Hotel when the earthquake struck, causing their room to sway violently and pictures to rattle against the walls. “It was very scary,” Pam recounted, sitting outside the hotel with hundreds of others, all anxiously waiting for the signal to return inside.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, the resilience of its people shines through, as they come together in the face of adversity.
Reporting contributed by Muktita Suhartono and Sui-Lee Wee from Bangkok.
