Time is running out for any remaining survivors trapped under the collapsed State Audit Office building in Bangkok, according to the head of the Israeli Search and Rescue team. Speaking on April 3, six days after the incident, he cautioned that successful rescues beyond a week are rare.
The unnamed Israeli colonel, leading the mission in Bangkok, addressed journalists at the Israeli Embassy. He explained that while the team remains committed to finding survivors, the odds diminish as days pass. The rescue operation follows a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, which triggered the collapse of the under-construction high-rise in Bangkok on March 29.
Despite the challenging conditions, the Israeli team is utilizing advanced technology, including 3D modeling and structural simulations, to locate potential survivors. Analysts in Israel are also processing data from the site to support rescue efforts. The team of 22 personnel is working around the clock, with no plans to leave as long as they can contribute to the mission.
The rescue chief noted that the collapse was an unprecedented event, as skyscrapers are not typically designed to fall under seismic activity. The sheer scale of the disaster—34 floors reduced to rubble, with an estimated 75,000 tons of concrete and steel—has made the search operation particularly complex.
Israeli Ambassador Orna Sagiv emphasized Israel’s commitment to assisting Thailand, highlighting the swift deployment of the rescue team. She revealed that some civilian passengers were removed from flights to Bangkok to ensure the emergency team could arrive as quickly as possible.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has overseen the multinational rescue efforts, which include teams from various countries working in coordination. The Israeli mission chief commended the cooperation, describing the international teams as a close-knit unit working toward a shared goal.