After more than 17 hours of searching, rescue workers pulled a body from the collapsed pavilion submerged in the Mae Klong River in Thailand’s central province of Samut Songkram at around midnight. The search continues for another missing person believed to be trapped under the wreckage.
The recovered victim was identified as Mrs. Sureeporn Urachoen, who was among more than 20 people packed into the 50-year old riverside pavilion, next to Wat Petsamutvoravihara pier in Muang district of Samut Songkram, which had been converted into a restaurant.
Officials suspect that the old pavilion could not stand the weight of the people and just caved in. About 20 people were injured and two went missing.
Rescue workers said the other missing person has been identified as Ms. Pornpilai Sualek, but they admit that their search efforts are being hampered by strong currents.
The restaurant owner said he heard a cracking sound under the pavilion and went down to investigate only to find that some of the supporting pillars had broken.
He then told his customers to evacuate, but the structure collapsed, throwing many customers into the river. Most managed to swim to safety.
