30-11-2024 (BANGKOK)Â A catastrophic crane collapse at a controversial elevated highway construction site has claimed at least two lives and left two workers missing, marking another tragic incident in the troubled history of the Rama II Road development project.
The devastating accident occurred during early morning operations on Friday near the Mahachai Muang Mai Market, when a crane carrying a massive concrete beam failed, creating a scene of chaos at the kilometre 21+100 mark. Emergency services reported that among the 39 workers present during the incident, ten sustained injuries requiring immediate hospitalisation, whilst 25 managed to escape unharmed.
Search and rescue operations continued throughout the morning as emergency responders combed through the wreckage, desperately seeking two workers who remained unaccounted for in the aftermath of the collapse.
The incident has triggered severe traffic disruptions along this vital transport artery, with authorities reporting extensive queues stretching between kilometres 16 and 23. Local police have advised motorists to seek alternative routes via Phetkasem and Phutthasakhon roads to avoid the affected area.
This latest tragedy adds to the growing concerns about safety standards along the Rama II Road construction project, which has earned a notorious reputation for its seemingly endless construction works and recurring accidents. The incident bears striking similarities to a fatal accident in May, when a concrete beam collapsed near Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian district, resulting in one death, one injury, and damage to multiple vehicles.
