Expressway Bridge under construction collapses

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) - A steel beam collapse during the construction of an elevated expressway in Bangkok has resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to several others.

The incident occurred in the early hours of March 15 on Rama 2 Road. It is part of the Rama 3-Dao Khanong-Outer Ring Road (Western Bangkok) elevated expressway project.

Authorities reported that the five fatalities at the scene include one Thai engineer, two Thai workers, and two Myanmar workers. One additional Myanmar worker died later in hospital from critical injuries.

Surachet Laophulsuk, Governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), stated that the removal of the wreckage is proving challenging due to the specialized concrete used, which has begun to harden. Workers are resorting to drilling to dismantle the structure and are exercising extreme caution due to the instability of certain steel components.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation, but preliminary assessments suggest that the structure may have been unable to bear the weight of the concrete. Surachet said that a committee of experts will examine the incident, with findings expected within 20 days after the site is cleared.

Rama 2 Road is a critical transportation artery connecting Bangkok to southern Thailand. However, the road has a history of frequent accidents, particularly in construction zones.

Dr. Thawatchai Piyanonthaya, head of the Thai Sang Thai Party's anti-corruption task force, revealed that in the past seven years, from 2018 to 2024, there have been 2,242 construction-related accidents on Rama 2 Road, resulting in 132 deaths and 1,305 injuries.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has ordered all relevant agencies to convene on Monday (March 17) to discuss solutions to the ongoing construction problems on Rama 2 Road, which has a long history of recurring accidents. -819 (TNA)