Deadly Crane Collapse Derails Train in Thailand
At least 30 killed and many injured as construction equipment falls onto moving passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima.
A tragic accident unfolded in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday when a construction crane from an ongoing railway bridge project toppled onto a passing passenger train, causing several cars to derail. The crash claimed at least 30 lives and left numerous others hurt.
The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani with 171 people on board. According to Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Anuphong Suksomnant, four passengers remain missing. Rescue crews worked for hours sifting through the wreckage to find survivors.
Officials blame the incident on the sudden collapse of the crane, which was being used to build an elevated section of the railway. Photos from Thai media show thick smoke rising from the site, mangled train cars, and scattered building materials. Emergency workers had to cut through flipped-over cars to pull out the injured.
Transport Minister Phut Ratchakit Prakarn has called for a full investigation. Anon Phonimdaeng, acting head of Thailand’s State Railway, noted that the project’s main contractor is Italian-Thai Development, with design and oversight handled by a Chinese firm. Early estimates put the damage to the train at more than 100 million baht.
The mishap occurred on a segment of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail line, which links Bangkok to the Laos border and is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The entire project is valued at over 520 billion baht.
The construction company involved issued a statement offering condolences to the families of the victims and pledging to cover compensation as well as medical costs for the injured. Still, this event has sparked fresh concerns about building safety standards and how contractors are held accountable in Thailand.
China’s Foreign Ministry also voiced sorrow over the accident, stating that probes into the causes are underway and the situation is being closely watched.
