22 Killed As Crane Collapse Derails Train In Thailand, Dozens Injured In Major Tragedy
22 Killed As Crane Collapse Derails Train In Thailand, Dozens Injured In Major Tragedy
Construction crane falls on moving train in Nakhon Ratchasima, triggering derailment, fire and massive rescue operation
At least 22 people were killed and more than 30 others injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Thailand, causing it to derail and briefly catch fire. The accident took place on Wednesday morning in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 230 km northeast of Bangkok.
The train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province in northeastern Thailand when the incident occurred. Officials said the crane, which was part of a high-speed rail construction project, fell directly onto one of the carriages as the train passed underneath.
The impact caused several coaches to derail and left parts of the train severely damaged. Witnesses said they heard a loud crash followed by two explosions. The metal structure of the crane reportedly struck the middle section of one coach, slicing it almost in half.
Around 195 passengers were on board the train at the time of the accident. Many were trapped inside the damaged carriages, prompting an immediate large-scale rescue operation. Firefighters, medical teams and disaster response units rushed to the site, cutting through twisted metal to free survivors.
Authorities confirmed that the fire caused by the crash was quickly extinguished, and rescue work continued throughout the day. All injured and uninjured passengers were eventually evacuated from the scene and shifted to nearby hospitals and relief centres.
Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. Earlier, nearly 80 people were feared injured before officials confirmed updated figures. Emergency teams are continuing medical assessments and providing trauma care.
Thailand’s Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand has been instructed to carry out a “thorough and comprehensive” investigation into the cause of the accident. He added that officials are verifying the identities of victims and monitoring the condition of those injured.
Compensation will be provided to the families of those who died, especially if any of the victims were railway employees. Authorities have also assured support to injured passengers and their families.
The crane was part of a high-speed rail project valued at approximately $5.4 billion. The project aims to upgrade Thailand’s rail infrastructure, but Wednesday’s incident has raised serious questions about construction safety practices near operational railway lines.
Videos circulating on social media showed extensive destruction at the site, with coaches lying tilted off the tracks and heavy machinery resting on top of the train. Rescue workers were seen using cutting equipment to reach passengers trapped inside the wreckage.
Thailand has witnessed several industrial and construction-related accidents in recent years, repeatedly highlighting concerns over enforcement of safety regulations. This tragedy has renewed focus on safety protocols at large infrastructure sites, particularly those operating close to public transport corridors.
Authorities have ordered a detailed probe to determine whether negligence, technical failure or procedural lapses led to the crane collapse. Fixing accountability, they said, will be a priority once the investigation is completed.
