Body of Construction Worker Recovered After 130-Hour Operation in Bangkok
BANGKOK – The body of a construction worker who fell into a 19-metre-deep pile foundation hole at a metro project site has been successfully recovered after a grueling 130-hour rescue operation.
The victim, identified as 33-year-old Sarawut Chantasont, also known as Dao, plunged into the hole on May 19 while working on the Orange Line construction site between Soi Lan Luang 6 and 8. The retrieval effort concluded on the evening of May 24.
The complex rescue was led by the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team alongside the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. Teams encountered significant obstacles due to the hole’s depth and the muddy conditions created by recent heavy rainfall, which hampered visibility and access.
At 7:00 p.m. on May 24, rescue personnel intensified their efforts. Key officials, including Suriyachai Rawiwan, director of the Prevention and Mitigation Department; Phet Phumma, district director of Pom Prap Sattru Phai; and Police Colonel Athibodi Sermsuk of Nanglerng Police Station, were present to oversee operations.
By 7:12 p.m., team members descended into the hole using a sling rope system, with air tubes in place for ventilation. Three minutes later, they reached the bottom and began outlining the plan to safely extract the body. Using a combination of soil excavation and wooden planks to stabilize and secure the remains, the team was able to carry out the recovery by 7:32 p.m.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and questions remain about safety protocols at the construction site.
