Latest news with #K9USARThailand
The Independent
02-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
After Thailand quake, rescue dogs provide solace to searching families
Amid the wreckage of a collapsed building in Bangkok, families of missing workers grapple with grief and uncertainty. A makeshift shelter nearby offers solace, but the air remains thick with anxiety as they await news of their loved ones. The building collapse, a tragic consequence of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, has claimed at least 22 lives in Bangkok, with 15 of those victims found at the site of the high-rise. About 70 workers remain missing. Moments of levity pierce the sombre atmosphere as a team of golden retrievers, taking a break from their rescue efforts, bring smiles to the faces of the waiting relatives. The playful dogs offer a brief respite from the overwhelming grief. For those like Pornchai Chaodongbang, the wait is agonising. She has been at the site since Sunday, searching for her missing brother. Overcome with emotion, she described crying daily and collapsing at the sight of the ruins. On Tuesday evening, she and dozens of others were visited by Sahara, Safari and Lek, rescue dogs from K9 USAR Thailand, a non-profit that works closely with the Thai government in disaster and humanitarian relief efforts. Ms Chaodongbang's face lit up as she played with them. She said her spirit was lifted a little. 'I saw in the news that they were helping the crew up there. I felt a little happier,' she said. It's the dogs' main job to climb the rubble, sniffing for any sign of humans trapped underneath. But Alongkot Chukaew, deputy director of the group, said they are also offering emotional support on the side, as his experience working with the dogs in many of their missions showed that they can give moments of comfort to disaster victims. He saw that happen with Sahara during the rescue mission after the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. 'At times when people were feeling down, she walked over to relatives of the victims who were sitting among the rubble. I saw the children come to her, play with her. 'Amid those great losses, it's a small moment of happiness that can lift their spirits. From that day on, it's what we have been trying to do during our breaks,' he said. They chose the dogs that are gentle to visit the relatives, he said. 'I believe their gentleness is what gives a spirit to the relatives. It's also like making a promise that they will be here with them until all the victims are found.' Samran Khotchomphun said she has been waiting for her missing grandson and granddaughter since the first day of the collapse. She said she cried through the first three days because she couldn't cope with the situation. She said the dogs offered her a brief comfort and hope on day five of the search and rescue operations. 'I told the dogs, please help find them. My hope is hanging on you,' she said.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Worried families and rescue dogs bond during the long days of searching at Bangkok collapse
BANGKOK (AP) — For most of the day, somberness clouded over a makeshift shelter set up for grief-stricken relatives of dozens of workers who remain missing at the building collapse in Bangkok. They huddled together, a short distance from the rubble, awaiting news for their loved ones to be found. But for a few minutes, their faces broke out in smiles, as a group of fluffy, playful golden retrievers approached the waiting relatives on a break from the dogs' rescue mission. Bangkok is more than 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) from the epicenter of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. Fifteen of the 22 deaths reported in Bangkok were people found at the site of the collapsed high-rise, according to the Bangkok city authorities. Around 70 workers remain missing. Pornchai Chaodongbang has been waiting for her missing brother at the site since Sunday. She said she was crying every day since the news broke, and when she saw the site of the ruins, she collapsed. On Tuesday evening, she and dozens of others were visited by Sahara, Safari and Lek, rescue dogs from K9 USAR Thailand, a non-profit that works closely with the Thai government in disaster and humanitarian relief efforts. Pornchai's face lit up as she played with them. She said her spirit was lifted a little. 'I saw in the news that they were helping the crew up there. I felt a little happier,' she said. It's the dogs' main job to climb the rubble, sniffing for any sign of humans trapped underneath. But Alongkot Chukaew, deputy director of the group, said they are also offering emotional support on the side, as his experience working with the dogs in many of their missions showed that they can give moments of comfort to disaster victims. He saw that happened with Sahara during the rescue mission after the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. 'At times when people were feeling down, she walked over to relatives of the victims who were sitting among the rubble. I saw the children come to her, play with her. Amid those great losses, it's a small moment of happiness that can lift their spirits. From that day on, it's what we have been trying to do during our breaks,' he said. They chose the dogs that are gentle to visit the relatives, he said. 'I believe their gentleness is what gives a spirit to the relatives. It's also like making a promise that they will be here with them until all the victims are found.' Samran Khotchomphun said she has been waiting for her missing grandson and granddaughter since the first day of the collapse. She said she cried through the first three days because she couldn't cope with the situation. Samran said the dogs offered her a brief comfort and hope on day five of the search and rescue operations. 'I told the dogs, please help find them. My hope is hanging on you,' she said.
The Independent
02-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Worried families and rescue dogs bond during the long days of searching at Bangkok collapse
For most of the day, somberness clouded over a makeshift shelter set up for grief-stricken relatives of dozens of workers who remain missing at the building collapse in Bangkok. They huddled together, a short distance from the rubble, awaiting news for their loved ones to be found. But for a few minutes, their faces broke out in smiles, as a group of fluffy, playful golden retrievers approached the waiting relatives on a break from the dogs' rescue mission. Bangkok is more than 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) from the epicenter of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. Fifteen of the 22 deaths reported in Bangkok were people found at the site of the collapsed high-rise, according to the Bangkok city authorities. Around 70 workers remain missing. Pornchai Chaodongbang has been waiting for her missing brother at the site since Sunday. She said she was crying every day since the news broke, and when she saw the site of the ruins, she collapsed. On Tuesday evening, she and dozens of others were visited by Sahara, Safari and Lek, rescue dogs from K9 USAR Thailand, a non-profit that works closely with the Thai government in disaster and humanitarian relief efforts. Pornchai's face lit up as she played with them. She said her spirit was lifted a little. 'I saw in the news that they were helping the crew up there. I felt a little happier,' she said. It's the dogs' main job to climb the rubble, sniffing for any sign of humans trapped underneath. But Alongkot Chukaew, deputy director of the group, said they are also offering emotional support on the side, as his experience working with the dogs in many of their missions showed that they can give moments of comfort to disaster victims. He saw that happened with Sahara during the rescue mission after the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. 'At times when people were feeling down, she walked over to relatives of the victims who were sitting among the rubble. I saw the children come to her, play with her. Amid those great losses, it's a small moment of happiness that can lift their spirits. From that day on, it's what we have been trying to do during our breaks,' he said. They chose the dogs that are gentle to visit the relatives, he said. 'I believe their gentleness is what gives a spirit to the relatives. It's also like making a promise that they will be here with them until all the victims are found.' Samran Khotchomphun said she has been waiting for her missing grandson and granddaughter since the first day of the collapse. She said she cried through the first three days because she couldn't cope with the situation. Samran said the dogs offered her a brief comfort and hope on day five of the search and rescue operations. 'I told the dogs, please help find them. My hope is hanging on you,' she said.
Associated Press
02-04-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Worried families and rescue dogs bond during the long days of searching at Bangkok collapse
BANGKOK (AP) — For most of the day, somberness clouded over a makeshift shelter set up for grief-stricken relatives of dozens of workers who remain missing at the building collapse in Bangkok. They huddled together, a short distance from the rubble, awaiting news for their loved ones to be found. But for a few minutes, their faces broke out in smiles, as a group of fluffy, playful golden retrievers approached the waiting relatives on a break from the dogs' rescue mission. Bangkok is more than 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) from the epicenter of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday. Fifteen of the 22 deaths reported in Bangkok were people found at the site of the collapsed high-rise, according to the Bangkok city authorities. Around 70 workers remain missing. Pornchai Chaodongbang has been waiting for her missing brother at the site since Sunday. She said she was crying every day since the news broke, and when she saw the site of the ruins, she collapsed. On Tuesday evening, she and dozens of others were visited by Sahara, Safari and Lek, rescue dogs from K9 USAR Thailand, a non-profit that works closely with the Thai government in disaster and humanitarian relief efforts. Pornchai's face lit up as she played with them. She said her spirit was lifted a little. 'I saw in the news that they were helping the crew up there. I felt a little happier,' she said. It's the dogs' main job to climb the rubble, sniffing for any sign of humans trapped underneath. But Alongkot Chukaew, deputy director of the group, said they are also offering emotional support on the side, as his experience working with the dogs in many of their missions showed that they can give moments of comfort to disaster victims. He saw that happened with Sahara during the rescue mission after the 2023 earthquake in Turkey. 'At times when people were feeling down, she walked over to relatives of the victims who were sitting among the rubble. I saw the children come to her, play with her. Amid those great losses, it's a small moment of happiness that can lift their spirits. From that day on, it's what we have been trying to do during our breaks,' he said. They chose the dogs that are gentle to visit the relatives, he said. 'I believe their gentleness is what gives a spirit to the relatives. It's also like making a promise that they will be here with them until all the victims are found.' Samran Khotchomphun said she has been waiting for her missing grandson and granddaughter since the first day of the collapse. She said she cried through the first three days because she couldn't cope with the situation. Samran said the dogs offered her a brief comfort and hope on day five of the search and rescue operations. 'I told the dogs, please help find them. My hope is hanging on you,' she said.
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Thailand's rescue dogs provide support to grieving families after Bangkok skyscraper collapse
Thailand's search and rescue dogs are taking on the role of emotional support animals for grieving relatives of victims of a Bangkok skyscraper flattened in a deadly earthquake. Advertisement The 30-storey high-rise under construction collapsed in seconds on Friday when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck neighbouring Myanmar, with effects felt as far as the Thai capital. As of Tuesday, 13 people – thought to be on-site construction workers – were pronounced dead, with nine injured and more than 70 still believed to be buried in the rubble. Their tearful families waited near the scene of the collapse, watching on with hopes fading as rescuers and diggers scraped through the mountain of rubble. A migrant worker from Myanmar pets Tualek, a dog of the K9 USAR Thailand, as search and rescue operations continue, following a strong earthquake. Photo: Reuters But their faces lit up when they saw golden retrievers Lek and Safari – decked out in official search uniforms – brought to the relatives' waiting area. Advertisement
