Myanmar quake triggers building collapse in Bangkok, 81 workers missing

The number of workers missing at a collapsed construction site of a high-rise building in Thailand's capital Bangkok has now risen to 81, according to the Thai deputy prime minister.

Earlier, the figure was at 70, but the latest update suggests a worsening situation, reports BBC.

The incident occurred during a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, causing severe tremors in Thailand.

According to Thailand's Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin, around 409 workers were present at the site when the building collapsed.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said there had been three deaths at the building site, reports Reuters.

He warned of possible aftershocks but urged people to be calm and said the situation was largely under control.

The Thai government says it's coordinating an emergency response at the scene and in a statement online, it says they have ordered the mobilisation of search and rescue teams, and disaster centres have been ordered to prepare relief equipment and machinery.

Emergency services have set up a field hospital near the site to treat survivors, though the exact number of casualties remains unclear. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working to locate those trapped under the debris.

The collapse is one of the most devastating impacts of the quake in Thailand, with Bangkok already declared a disaster area due to widespread damage to high-rise buildings.