Incident Overview
A landslide at the Lan Luang Road construction site for Bangkok’s MRT Orange Line has left one worker missing. The accident took place earlier today, drawing immediate attention from emergency services and construction authorities.
Eyewitness and Media Reports
Facebook users reported the news via his official Facebook page, stating:
“Breaking update: Around noon on May 19, a worker at the MRT construction site on Lan Luang Soi 6 fell into a 19-metre-deep pit following a landslide. Rescue personnel and medical teams are on-site, working tirelessly to recover the individual. Hoping for everyone’s safety.”
Rescue team member Nakon Auttawut Phoamphai also highlighted the severity of the incident, emphasizing that the trapped worker is buried under a large volume of soil, complicating recovery efforts.
Location and Project Background
The landslide occurred at the future site of the Lan Luang MRT station, a part of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) ambitious Orange Line extension. The ongoing construction aims to link the Orange Line to the MRT Blue Line at Thailand Cultural Centre and the Yellow Line at Yaek Lam Sali.
According to prior reports from The Bangkok Post, the full expansion is scheduled for completion by 2030. As of the latest progress update, 10 of the 17 planned stations have been completed.
MRTA’s Response
Officials from the MRTA confirmed that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the landslide. They also emphasized that stringent safety protocols have been in place throughout the construction phase. However, no specific timeline has been provided for when more information will be released.
Past Safety Concerns
This is not the first incident involving Bangkok’s MRT infrastructure. In August of the previous year, a portion of the footpath near Fai Chai MRT Station in Bangkok Noi district collapsed due to a damaged underground water pipe. Fortunately, that event did not result in injuries.
Current Status
At the time of writing, rescue operations are ongoing. Further updates are expected from both the rescue teams and relevant authorities in the coming hours.