A deeply tragic incident in Ban Bueng district, Chonburi Province, Thailand, has left a local community in shock after a 65-year-old man known for his devotion to animals was found dead inside a narrow dirt tunnel while attempting to rescue newborn puppies.
Wana Sae-li, aged 65, was discovered face down inside a soil cavity near a drainage canal in Ban Noen Kruat, Nong Irun subdistrict, with two newborn puppies lying close to his hands. The heartbreaking discovery was made after rescue workers and police were alerted to the scene.
Authorities from Ban Bueng Police Station and a local rescue team spent several minutes carefully excavating the collapsed tunnel, which was only about 60 centimeters wide. The structure extended deep into the soil, making recovery efforts difficult due to its unstable, wet condition.
Investigators reported that there were no immediate signs of assault on the body. The circumstances instead point to a tragic accident believed to have occurred during an attempt to reach puppies inside the underground cavity.
Family members shared that Wana lived alone on the property and was widely known for his deep affection for dogs. Relatives described him as someone who often cared more for animals than himself, ensuring stray and household dogs were always fed and safe.
According to his older brother, Wana had been missing since the previous day, and a search of the area later revealed a human foot protruding from the dirt tunnel. What initially appeared to be an animal burrow was later confirmed to be the site of the fatal collapse.
Local officials suggested that heavy rainfall the night before may have worsened soil instability, possibly causing the tunnel to give way while Wana was inside attempting to retrieve or protect the newborn puppies from flooding.
In addition to the two puppies found near him, authorities also discovered several other newborn puppies nearby, indicating that the area had recently been used as a nesting site by stray dogs.
Police have documented the scene and continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, though early indications suggest a tragic accidental death during a rescue attempt.
The passing of Wana Sae-li has left his family and community mourning a man remembered not only for his kindness, but also for his unwavering compassion toward animals, even in his final moments.