Tragedy: 2 More Chinese Workers Found Dead in 'Khlong Phai Tunnel'
Rescue teams have discovered the bodies of two more Chinese workers inside the Khlong Phai tunnel, bringing the total death toll to three. Efforts are underway to retrieve the bodies from the site, but continuous landslides are posing significant challenges to the rescue operation. The total rescue time for all three trapped workers has reached 126 hours.
On August 30th, Mr. Ekrarat Sriarayanpong, Head of the Governor's Office of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), provided an update on the rescue efforts for the three workers trapped inside the tunnel following a landslide in Khlong Phai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, on the night of August 24th. After successfully retrieving the first body yesterday, rescue teams from SRT and Hunan Sunshine from China discovered two more bodies at approximately 6:00 AM today. The deceased were identified as Mr. Hu Shengmin (work supervisor) and Mr. Dong Qinlin (excavator operator), both Chinese nationals.
Rescue workers dug through the soil and constructed support structures to reach the bodies, located about 3 meters from the first victim. Efforts are ongoing to extract the bodies from the scene. The SRT expressed its deepest condolences and pledged support to the families of the deceased. They also extended their gratitude to all rescue teams, government officials, and private sector personnel involved in the operation.
Mr. Ekrarat further explained that the Khlong Phai railway tunnel, where the incident occurred, is part of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. The rescue operation, which lasted approximately 126 hours, faced numerous obstacles, including continuous landslides that slowed down the excavation process. Attempts to use rescue tubes were also hindered by rock formations, forcing rescuers to switch to building support structures to prevent further collapse. These challenges significantly impacted the rescue efforts.
Tragedy: 2 More Chinese Workers Found Dead in 'Khlong Phai Tunnel'
Rescue teams have discovered the bodies of two more Chinese workers inside the Khlong Phai tunnel, bringing the total death toll to three. Efforts are underway to retrieve the bodies from the site, but continuous landslides are posing significant challenges to the rescue operation. The total rescue time for all three trapped workers has reached 126 hours.
On August 30th, Mr. Ekrarat Sriarayanpong, Head of the Governor's Office of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), provided an update on the rescue efforts for the three workers trapped inside the tunnel following a landslide in Khlong Phai, Nakhon Ratchasima province, on the night of August 24th. After successfully retrieving the first body yesterday, rescue teams from SRT and Hunan Sunshine from China discovered two more bodies at approximately 6:00 AM today. The deceased were identified as Mr. Hu Shengmin (work supervisor) and Mr. Dong Qinlin (excavator operator), both Chinese nationals.
Rescue workers dug through the soil and constructed support structures to reach the bodies, located about 3 meters from the first victim. Efforts are ongoing to extract the bodies from the scene. The SRT expressed its deepest condolences and pledged support to the families of the deceased. They also extended their gratitude to all rescue teams, government officials, and private sector personnel involved in the operation.
Mr. Ekrarat further explained that the Khlong Phai railway tunnel, where the incident occurred, is part of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. The rescue operation, which lasted approximately 126 hours, faced numerous obstacles, including continuous landslides that slowed down the excavation process. Attempts to use rescue tubes were also hindered by rock formations, forcing rescuers to switch to building support structures to prevent further collapse. These challenges significantly impacted the rescue efforts.
'Interior Minister 1' expresses sorrow over tunnel collapse, assures swift legal compensation
Naew Na, Friday, August 30, 2023, 2:11 PM
'Interior Minister 1' expressed sorrow over the collapse of the high-speed rail construction tunnel, assured swift legal assistance and compensation. He thanked the 'rescue team and officials' for their dedicated efforts in helping the unfortunate workers.
On August 30, 2023, reporters reported that Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, visited the site of the collapsed high-speed rail construction tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima province, where 3 people died.
Mr. Anutin said that on behalf of the government and the acting officials, he thanked the media for closely following the situation and reporting the developments. He apologized for any inconvenience caused. He stated that their mission has ended and that no one wanted this incident to happen. He thanked and praised the dedication of the rescue team and all officials. They have found the bodies of all 3 victims. The cause of death is pending information from Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, which is conducting an autopsy. Initially, the first victim died from suffocation, and the results for the other 2 victims should be known within today.
"I confirm that all officials have done their best. We have dedicated all our efforts to save lives, but due to the structure of the cave and various obstacles throughout the operation, we were unable to save the victims. We thank the Engineering Council of Thailand for their close monitoring and support, as well as Mr. Chaiyawat Choongossum, the Governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, as the Incident Commander, and everyone involved in the operation. From now on, the Director-General of the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare will proceed with providing assistance and compensation to the deceased according to the law," said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
Stricter Safety Laws Enforced After Tunnel Collapse, Employers Urged to Prevent Future Incidents
Prachachat Turakij, August 30, 2027 - 3:37 PM.
"Phiphat," the Minister of Labor, orders the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare to investigate the tunnel collapse at the high-speed rail project in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, which resulted in the deaths of 3 workers. He urges employers to strictly adhere to safety laws and prevent similar incidents.
On August 30, 2027, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the Minister of Labor, revealed that after learning of the deaths of 3 workers in the high-speed rail tunnel collapse, he immediately ordered the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare to investigate the construction site where the soil subsidence occurred inside the Khlong Phai railway tunnel in Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He is concerned about the safety of workers and urges employers to pay attention to and comply with the Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment Act B.E. 2554, as well as related ministerial regulations and announcements. He emphasizes the need to prevent similar incidents and expresses his condolences to the families of the 3 deceased workers.
Mrs. Sopa Kiattinirat, the Director-General of the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, stated that on August 30, 2027, she and officials from the Occupational Safety Center Region 3 and the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Labor Protection and Welfare Office visited the site to investigate the facts. They found that the cause of the accident was the tunnel excavation process, where steel tunnel supports were installed every 3 meters of excavation. The soil collapse occurred inside the tunnel, approximately 3.2 kilometers from the tunnel entrance.
The 3 workers were removing soil from the tunnel when another soil collapse occurred, burying them and resulting in their deaths. It is suspected that the soil was saturated with water from rain, and the lack of soil density on the hillside caused it to collapse and flow into the tunnel excavation area.
Previously, safety inspectors had visited the site and summoned the employer for questioning on August 28, 2027. However, the employer requested to postpone the meeting to September 6, 2027, as they were busy providing assistance to the victims and preparing documents for clarification. The officials were instructed to strictly enforce the law, raise awareness, and focus on protecting workers' safety.
The Department of Labor Protection and Welfare reminds all businesses to prioritize workplace safety. They must pay attention to and comply with safety laws to prevent and reduce workplace accidents, as well as the loss of life and property for both employers and employees.
Transport Minister to Invite SRT and DRT to Discuss Construction of Ayutthaya High-Speed Rail Station
August 30, 2024, 7:46 PM
Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that he will invite the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) to a meeting to follow up on the progress of the construction of the Ayutthaya High-Speed Rail Station in the High-Speed Rail Development Project Phase 1 (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section). The goal is to gain clarity on how to proceed further. He does not want time to be wasted without any progress and to wait indefinitely, as further delays will lead to more problems, impacting the overall project implementation.
Ayutthaya Station's HIA Reaches UNESCO! Consultant to Scan Site on September 19th
Daily News, August 30, 2024, 7:23 PM
The HIA report for "Ayutthaya High-Speed Rail Station" has reached UNESCO. ICOMOS, the advisory organization, will visit Ayutthaya on September 19th to conduct a preliminary impact assessment. Meanwhile, Suriya has scheduled a meeting with SRT and DRT to discuss the Ayutthaya station construction. He emphasizes the need to explain the situation to UNESCO and avoid wasting time without progress. The station is expected to open after 2027 due to tunnel collapse, two unsigned contracts, and elevated track design changes.
Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, revealed that he will invite the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) to a meeting to follow up on the progress of the construction of the Ayutthaya High-Speed Rail Station in the High-Speed Rail Development Project Phase 1 (Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section). The goal is to gain clarity on how to proceed further. He does not want time to be wasted without any progress and to wait indefinitely, as further delays will lead to more problems, impacting the overall project implementation.
Mr. Suriya added that he received a preliminary report stating that UNESCO will send officials to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on September 19, 2024, to conduct a preliminary Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Ayutthaya Historical Park World Heritage Site in connection with the Ayutthaya High-Speed Rail Station. However, he believes that the construction of the Ayutthaya station should proceed, but efforts should be made to explain the situation to UNESCO, as SRT has followed all procedures and legal requirements.
Mr. Picheth Kunadhammarak, Director-General of DRT, said that SRT has submitted the revised HIA report to the Secretary-General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), who is also the Secretary-General of the National Committee for World Heritage Convention. The report has been forwarded to UNESCO, and UNESCO has assigned the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) as its advisory body to conduct a preliminary impact assessment in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on September 19, 2024. DRT will also participate in this site visit. The Ayutthaya station is part of Contract 4-5, Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section, with a distance of 13.3 kilometers. The contractor has been selected, but the construction contract has not been signed yet.
The "Daily News Transportation Innovation News Team" reported that the overall construction progress of the High-Speed Rail Project Phase 1, Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima section, with a distance of 253 kilometers and a budget of 179 billion baht, consisting of 14 contracts, is approximately 34.97%, delayed by 36.39%. According to the latest revised plan, the service is expected to open in 2027. However, a preliminary assessment after the Khlong Phai tunnel collapse incident, which is part of Contract 3-2, Muak Lek and Lam Takhong tunnel section, with a distance of 12.2 kilometers and a budget of 4.279 billion baht, contracted to Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited, suggests that the opening may be delayed beyond 2027. This is due to the need for safety inspections and reviews to ensure confidence and prevent similar incidents from happening again.
Meanwhile, two contracts are still pending signature, with no definite timeline: Contract 4-1, Bang Sue-Don Mueang section, with a distance of 15.21 kilometers, is awaiting amendments to the joint investment contract for the High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Project (Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao) due to overlapping structures. Contract 4-5, Ban Pho-Phra Kaeo section, has delayed signing with the contractor, Boonchai Phanit (1979) Co., Ltd., at the original price of 10.325 billion baht, pending clarity on the HIA report.
Additionally, Contract 3-5, Khok Kruat-Nakhon Ratchasima section, requires a change in construction from ground-level track to elevated track in the Khok Kruat-Phu Khao Lat section, with a distance of 7.85 kilometers. The SRT Board of Directors has instructed SRT to adjust the price index to the current rate and resubmit it to the board meeting in September 2024. The preliminary estimate for this design change is an additional 2.052 billion baht from the original 7.750 billion baht, and the construction period will be extended by 36 months from the original completion date of March 2028.
Unraveling the Geology of the "Phu Kradung Formation" at the Site of the Train Tunnel Collapse
August 31, 2023, 09:00 AM
Thai PBS
The strength and properties of the rock encountered during the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel will vary depending on which part of the Phu Kradung Formation is being cut through. If the tunnel is constructed in the uppermost section, it will encounter thick layers of hard sandstone. However, if it's located in the lower section, the rock strength will decrease. The specific location of the tunnel within the formation is crucial.
Dr. Pradit Nule, a geological expert from the Department of Mineral Resources, Region 2, told Thai PBS Online that the planned location of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel in Nakhon Ratchasima province lies within the continuous area of the Khao Yai Thiang mountain range. This area is characterized by sandstone belonging to the Khorat Group, which geologists refer to as the "Phu Kradung Formation." This formation dates back to the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous period, approximately 150-140 million years ago.
The Phu Kradung Formation is found in the northeastern region of Thailand, along the edges of the Khorat Plateau. Its type section is located at Phu Kradung in Loei province, along the hiking trail from the base of the mountain to Sam Haek. It is also distributed along the edges of the Khorat Basin and the Phu Phan mountain range. It is primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, mainly purple-red siltstone and sandstone.
The formation's thickness is nearly 1,000 meters from bottom to top. The majority of the rocks are purple-red siltstone with calcareous and micaceous content, along with gray-green, brown-red sandstone, and rounded pebbles. Within these rock layers, in addition to mudstone, there are also sandstone layers thicker than 1 meter interspersed throughout the formation.
Checking Geological Conditions and Tunnel Feasibility
When asked if the Phu Kradung Formation is suitable for large-scale construction and tunnel excavation, geologists believe that with modern technology, tunnel excavation is possible worldwide. Even in the soft clay layers of Bangkok, underground rail projects have been successfully implemented.
If risk assessments are conducted and appropriate mitigation measures are in place, the project can be considered feasible. It's similar to building a house; if the ground is not strong, structural reinforcements like pile driving are necessary. However, if the risks are not understood and addressed, problems can arise.
Tunnel design requires detailed geological studies. Whether the excavated rock and soil layers are good or bad, collaborative design between geotechnical engineers and structural engineers is essential, adhering to standards and incorporating risk mitigation measures.
Regarding the risk of future collapses, the expert stated that the Khorat Group poses a lower risk compared to igneous and metamorphic rocks. There is no history of large-scale landslides in this area, unlike the Nakkerd Hills in Phuket. Although natural soil flows and minor rockfalls may occur, landslides in the Khorat Group are less likely.
The factors that could lead to a collapse similar to the one at Nakkerd Hills are naturally low. However, if there are activities such as cutting into hillsides, building roads, or constructing houses, the natural low risk could turn into a higher risk.
Dr. Pradit questioned whether this incident was a natural disaster or a result of human error. He urged everyone to await the official investigation results from the responsible agencies. He emphasized the importance of adhering to standards and incorporating risk mitigation measures in any construction project.
He concluded by stating that tunnel excavation is possible worldwide if we understand both the environment and our capabilities. The investigation results for this incident are still pending.
The construction project for Contract 3-2 has a contract duration of 1,080 days. The original contract was set to end on April 3, 2024, but it received an extension of 431 days from the Railway Committee on March 25, bringing the total construction period to 1,511 days.
The delay was due to the late handover of the construction site to the contractor for the Khlong Phai Tunnel section near Lam Takhong. This led to the extension of the construction contract, with a new end date of June 7, 2025. As of July 25, the construction progress is at 74.06%.
Learning from "126 Hours": The Search for 3 Lives Trapped in the Tunnel | Weekend News Hour | August 31, 2023
Thai PBS
126 hours were spent on the mission to rescue 3 workers trapped in the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail tunnel, but tragically, there was no miracle. This incident has raised questions about the safety standards within the tunnel, as there were reportedly 3 tremors on the day of the collapse. Why was construction still ongoing in the tunnel?
Furthermore, there are observations questioning whether inappropriate equipment was used during construction, potentially causing the tunnel collapse. Also, did the tremor detection system issue any warnings on the day of the incident? These questions remain unanswered by the contractor.
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