Bangkok, Thailand — A tragic accident involving a construction crane and a passenger train has claimed at least 32 lives and left dozens injured in northeastern Thailand. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when the train, en route from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, was struck by a crane that was part of a high-speed rail project.
Witnesses reported that the train was traveling approximately 75 miles per hour when the crane fell onto the tracks around 9:10 a.m. local time, resulting in a derailment. Thirasak Wongsungnoen, a staff member on the train, described the chaotic scene, noting that the second and third carriages were particularly damaged. The crash ignited a fire in one of the affected carriages.
Emergency workers were quickly dispatched to the site, where they faced a daunting task of navigating debris to reach trapped passengers. At least 66 people were reported injured, with eight in critical condition, according to local health officials. Among the passengers, approximately 200 were onboard the three-carriage train at the time of the accident.
Local resident Suphan Imjantuek, who witnessed the aftermath, recalled seeing smoke before arriving at the scene. He described the devastating sight of the train’s second carriage being split in half and helped rescue others alongside family members and volunteers. “We saw many people lying there,” he said, recounting the harrowing experience.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed that an investigation into the cause of the collapse is underway. Photos from the scene highlighted the extent of the destruction, showing a toppled crane and train carriages lying on their sides as rescue efforts continued.
The crane involved in the incident was part of a significant construction initiative aiming to connect Bangkok to Nong Khai province, located on the border with Laos. This project is integral to the Belt and Road Initiative designed to enhance infrastructure and connectivity across Southeast Asia.
Italian-Thai Development PCL, the contractor operating the crane, issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the disaster. The company affirmed its commitment to support victims and their families and to fully cooperate with authorities during the investigation.
The Ubon Ratchathani route is not typically popular with tourists, contrasting with the more frequented north-south train lines. Nevertheless, this tragic event has underscored the importance of safety measures in large-scale construction operations.
As investigators work to determine the specifics of the accident, the focus remains on supporting those affected and ensuring such tragedies are prevented in the future.