Tunnel collapses killing two workers and injuring two others in Thailand
A tunnel collapsed, killing two workers and injuring two others in Thailand.
Thai worker Aphidet Kaewpraken, 24, and Burmese national Thu Thu Hun, 29, were installing waterproof lining when the scaffold collapsed at the Doi Luang tunnel in Chiang Rai on June 20.
The pair were crushed under rocks and metal debris. Two others, identified as Suphamas Khiaosawai, 28, and Tun Tun Win, were seriously injured.
Officials and emergency responders arrived at the scene at 9 pm local time, where they found the deceased buried under the carnage. The two survivors were rushed to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital.
The 200-mile under-construction tunnel is part of a railway route linking Phrae province with Chiang Rai near the Laos border. It is seen to boost trade with northern Laos and China.
Investigators believe workers had just installed lighting equipment when part of the structure suddenly gave way, collapsing onto scaffolding below and crushing those standing on it.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the tunnel construction was temporarily suspended for a probe. He added the contractor may be blacklisted if evidence of negligence was found.
He said: 'A discussion will be held with the State Railway of Thailand, and the investigation is expected to wrap up as soon as possible.'
Project engineer Pattapong Boonkaew said the Doi Luang Tunnel is one of four tunnels within the project and spans 2.11 miles (3.4 kilometres).
Tunnel boring was completed last year, and workers are installing concrete wall protection when the accident happened. He said the collapse was an isolated force majeure event.
He said: 'Everyone is well aware that the Chiang Rai area experiences weather and natural hazards, particularly heavy rainfall.
‘To put it simply, the Doi Luang mountain tunnel absorbs a substantial amount of rainwater throughout the year.
‘This accumulation might have affected or weakened the unprotected section of the wall.
‘Our installation involved a temporary shoring scaffolding structure.
‘However, I would like to reassure the public that no incidents have occurred in sections where protection work has been fully completed.
‘This demonstrates that when the tunnel officially opens for service, incidents of this nature will not occur, as we continuously monitor the three-quarters that have already been completed.
‘Once the installation is fully completed, water inside the tunnel will flow according to the designed drainage system.
‘The section where the incident occurred was an area that our protection work had not yet reached.'
He added that measures would be introduced to prevent similar incidents, including reinforcing shoring structures and inspecting the actual condition of tunnel walls to assess their vulnerability.
Deputy Transport Minister Phattharaphong Phattharaprasit said the medical expenses of the injured workers as well as funeral arrangements for the deceased will be fully covered.
He said long-term compensation is currently being discussed with the victims' families to determine appropriate measures.
In August 2024, a tunnel under construction for Thailand's high-speed rail link to China collapsed in Nakhon Ratchasima province, trapping three workers underground.
The bodies of two Chinese workers were recovered after a five-day search, while a Myanmar truck driver was found dead a day earlier, officials said.
