Bangkok: A devastating rail accident occurred early Wednesday morning in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 22 people. The incident took place when a massive crane being used at a construction site collapsed onto a passenger train traveling from Bangkok toward northeastern Thailand. The impact caused several coaches to derail, triggering scenes of chaos and panic at the site.
The catastrophic accident happened as the train was passing through an area where construction work was underway for a high-speed rail project. A large crane at the site suddenly lost control and fell directly onto the moving train. The force of the collision was so severe that multiple coaches were thrown off the tracks, leading to widespread panic among passengers.
The accident occurred in Sikhio district, approximately 230 kilometers (143 miles) northeast of Bangkok. According to reports, the train was en route to Ubon Ratchathani province. Local authorities confirmed that construction related to a high-speed railway project was ongoing in the area at the time. During this work, the heavy crane toppled and struck the train passing beneath it. The impact also caused a small fire to break out in some of the coaches, further intensifying panic among passengers.
Upon receiving information about the incident, police and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene. Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control after strenuous efforts, but by then, significant loss of life and property had already occurred. Local police chief Thachapon Chinnawong officially confirmed that 22 people have lost their lives so far. In addition, at least 30 passengers sustained serious injuries and have been admitted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Rescue and relief operations are still underway, with emergency teams searching through the debris for possible survivors. Authorities have warned that the death toll may rise further. In the aftermath of this horrific incident, train services on the rail route connecting Bangkok with the northeastern provinces have been suspended indefinitely. Police have launched an investigation to determine whether a technical failure or negligence led to the crane’s collapse onto the train. The government has expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased and has directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
