Overview

• A 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar caused the collapse of a 30-story building under construction in Bangkok, killing at least 13 and injuring nine, with more than 70 people still trapped.
• Preliminary investigations revealed that substandard steel, which failed safety tests in December, played a significant role in the collapse, according to Thai officials.
• The construction project was a collaboration between China Railway Group (CREC) and Italian-Thai Development (ITD), with the building intended to house government offices.
• The majority of victims were migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, highlighting ongoing concerns about worker safety and labor rights in the region.
• Thai authorities have emphasized the neutrality of their investigation, despite the involvement of Chinese companies, and have pledged to hold all responsible parties accountable.