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Elevated Road Under Construction in Bangkok Collapses, At Least 5 Dead

Dangerous zone warning signs were posted to block off the area at the scene of an accident at an under-construction expressway, in Bangkok, Thailand, 15 March 2025. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK
Dangerous zone warning signs were posted to block off the area at the scene of an accident at an under-construction expressway, in Bangkok, Thailand, 15 March 2025. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK
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Elevated Road Under Construction in Bangkok Collapses, At Least 5 Dead

Dangerous zone warning signs were posted to block off the area at the scene of an accident at an under-construction expressway, in Bangkok, Thailand, 15 March 2025. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK
Dangerous zone warning signs were posted to block off the area at the scene of an accident at an under-construction expressway, in Bangkok, Thailand, 15 March 2025. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK

An elevated road being built in Thailand’s capital Bangkok collapsed, killing at least five people, officials said.
The collapse, which happened in the early morning in southwestern Bangkok, also injured 24 other people at the construction site, said Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.
Suriya offered his condolences and said victims would be compensated by contractors and relevant agencies. He said four workers and an engineer were killed, and no road users were affected as traffic lanes near the construction were closed at the time.
Bangkok police commander Siam Boonsom said authorities were still investigating to determine the cause of the collapse and that they would pursue legal actions against those found responsible.
Photos from the site showed that large metal and concrete structures fell on the ground and completely blocked the road, The Associated Press reported.
The construction of the 5-kilometer (3-mile) elevated road started in 2022, according to project information published on the website of the Expressway Authority of Thailand.
Surachet Laophulsuk, governor of the agency, said they were working to clear the debris as quickly as they could, but he said it might take a week. He added that the contractors working on the project were ordered suspended for 14 days pending the investigation.
Road and construction safety is a major problem in Thailand. The site of Saturday’s collapse is a part of a major road connecting Bangkok to Thailand’s south, which has been a subject of controversy over its prolonged construction and frequent fatal accidents.
Suriya said the transportation ministry is in the process of issuing new regulations that would suspend contractors found liable for construction accidents and blacklist them from bidding on future government projects.

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Vatican Releases First Photo of Pope Francis in Hospital

A general view shows children holding white and yellow balloons gathering by the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli University Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized, in Rome on March 16, 2025. (AFP)
A general view shows children holding white and yellow balloons gathering by the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli University Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized, in Rome on March 16, 2025. (AFP)
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Vatican Releases First Photo of Pope Francis in Hospital

A general view shows children holding white and yellow balloons gathering by the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli University Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized, in Rome on March 16, 2025. (AFP)
A general view shows children holding white and yellow balloons gathering by the statue of John Paul II outside the Gemelli University Hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized, in Rome on March 16, 2025. (AFP)

The Vatican on Sunday released the first image of Pope Francis in hospital since he began treatment for double pneumonia, in which the 88-year-old pontiff appeared to be breathing unaided.

The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment. He has not been seen in public since.

Francis is pictured from behind, sitting facing the altar in a chapel at the hospital. The side of his face is visible and his right hand rests on his lap. There is no sign that he is receiving the supplementary oxygen that he has been given throughout his stay.

The Vatican said the photo was taken on Sunday, when the pope celebrated Mass with other priests in the chapel.

In its latest medical update, issued on Saturday, the Vatican said Francis was gradually improving and was using less mechanical ventilation at night to help with breathing.

The pope has been described as being in a stable or improving condition for nearly two weeks, but the Vatican has not yet given a timeframe for his discharge, saying his recovery is going slowly.

Francis is prone to lung infections because he had pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

He has been receiving both respiratory physiotherapy to help with his breathing and physical therapy to help with his mobility. He has used a wheelchair in recent years due to knee and back pain.

Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his election as pope from hospital on Thursday.

Doctors not involved in the pope's care have said he is likely to face a long, fraught road to recovery, given his age and other medical conditions.

On Saturday, the Vatican announced that Francis had approved a new three-year process to consider reforms for the global Catholic Church, in a sign that he intends to continue as pope, despite his health difficulties.