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BFF-16
THAILAND-PAGODA-CRASH
1 killed, 11 injured as old pagoda crashes in Thailand
BANGKOK, Sept. 26, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – One person was killed and 11 injured
after an old pagoda collapsed during renovation at Phraya Tham Voraviharn
Temple in Bangkok district on Tuesday, the Erawan Rescue Center has confirmed
late Tuesday.
Rescue team initially pulled out 11 workers from the debris and found three
seriously injured.
Later in the day, one was found dead after being trapped in the rubble.
Police said the workers were moving in steel girders to support the
foundation of the pagoda when it tilted and crashed.
Eye-witnesses recalled loud rumbling noises and saw debris raining down on
the workers.
Rescue workers said it took a few hours before they were able to pull the
injured out of the trapped debris.
The temple and the pagoda, which was designed as a bell tower, were said to
have been built during the time of King Rama III in the 1800s.
The restoration work has been undertaken by the Fine Arts Department since
May this year.
Phraya Tham Temple is a third class Royal temple from the late Ayutthaya
period that is found near the Temple of the Dawn on the west side of the Chao
Phraya River.
The temple includes an ordination hall with a renowned wood pulpit carving
and a contrasting pagoda.
The Thai Fine Arts Department decided to renovate it after the engineers
concluded that the pagoda needs renovation to solidify its base.
The Fine Arts Department said it will investigate into the pagoda crash.
BSS/XINHUA/GMR/0933 hrs