BANGKOK, Thailand – A trained rescue dog deployed by Thailand’s national search and rescue team has signaled the possible presence of a human beneath the debris of the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Bangkok, prompting a tactical shift in ongoing search operations. The detection took place in the morning (April 5), nine days after the incident, and may provide a breakthrough in the intensive efforts still underway at the disaster site in Chatuchak district.
At around 9.30 a.m., Sahara, an experienced K9 unit from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, alerted her handlers with a distinctive bark while exploring a narrow cavity between Zones A and D. The dog had crawled through a tunnel-like gap beneath a large concrete slab, navigating several tight lanes before signaling detection. The behavior is trained to indicate the likely presence of a human scent. Manual inspection confirmed the area contained multiple obstructed paths, but no verbal response was received from within.
Elsewhere on the site, a strong odor consistent with decomposition was again reported in Zone B, alongside suspected body fluids and bloodstains. Rescue teams attempting to access this zone continue to face challenges posed by heavy concrete and steel reinforcements. To ensure safety, K9 units were temporarily withdrawn while machinery was deployed to expand entry points. Canine teams remain on standby and will return once conditions are deemed safe.
Sahara was one of three dogs deployed during the morning mission and was the only one to deliver a detection signal. Known for previous international service, including earthquake rescue work in Turkey, Sahara’s response has been taken as a credible indication. Attempts to search Zones C and D yielded no additional signals, although Sahara barked briefly at another cavity in Zone D before retreating due to a steep incline.
By 10 a.m., heavy equipment had been mobilized to clear debris in Zones A and D, with a full-site sweep commencing at 11 a.m. Authorities continue to monitor the area closely, adapting search strategies based on K9 activity and structural assessments. With 79 individuals still missing and 15 confirmed fatalities, the search effort remains urgent and complex. Coordination between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, K9 teams, and machinery operators is ongoing under real-time guidance from field commanders. (NNT)
