Four people are missing and dozens more injured after a Buddhist temple collapsed into a river in central Thailand on the first day of Lent today (July 16).<br /><br />The wooden structure, Wat Phet Samut Worawihan in Samut Songkhram collapsed into the Mae Klong River at around 1pm. <br /><br />Dozens of people were packed inside eating lunch on a national public holiday to mark the start of Buddhist Lent. <br /><br />But the building could not stand the weight and a loud ''cracking sound'' was heard. The temple, believed to be more than 50 years old, slid down the muddy bank and crashed into the powerful river. <br /><br />Four people were dragged away by the current as dozens more scrambled for safety. <br /><br />Rescue workers on the scene said that at least 20 people had been injured and taken to hospital. <br /><br />While at least four others are still missing. <br /><br />One local who was inside the building told local radio there was the ''sound of wood cracking'' before the building plunged into the water. <br /><br />He then said there was ''splashing and screaming''. <br /><br />Another witness Pink Maeklong said: ''Everybody was eating at the time inside the building. Then it just slid down into the water. Many people were still inside. They were screaming for help.''
