BANGKOK: At least 22 people were killed and over 80 injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday, derailing the train and triggering a fire, authorities said.
The incident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima province at a construction site linked to a China-backed high-speed rail project. The train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani with 195 passengers on board.
Verified footage from the scene showed the crane’s shattered structure resting on concrete pillars, while damaged train carriages lay tilted amid smoke and debris. Rescue teams worked to pull trapped passengers from the wreckage.
District Police Chief Thatchapon Chinnawong confirmed the death toll and said dozens of the injured were being treated at nearby hospitals, with several in critical condition.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crash followed by explosions as the crane struck the middle carriage, reportedly cutting it in half.
Local authorities temporarily halted rescue operations due to concerns over chemical leakage at the site.
Thailand’s Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ordered an immediate investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
The construction site is part of a $5.4 billion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project aimed at connecting Bangkok with Kunming, China, via Laos by 2028.
Industrial accidents remain common in Thailand, often blamed on weak enforcement of safety regulations.