At least 22 dead as crane collapses
At least 22 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Thailand, triggering one of the country’s deadliest transport-related accidents in recent years.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning in Nakhon Ratchasima province, located north of Bangkok. According to local authorities, the crane fell directly onto a train carriage that was travelling from the capital, crushing part of the coach and trapping passengers inside. Emergency responders rushed to the scene as panicked survivors tried to escape from the wreckage.
Officials confirmed that 22 people lost their lives in the accident, while 79 others sustained injuries of varying severity. Among the injured, at least eight were reported to be in critical condition and were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment. Doctors say some victims suffered severe head and spinal injuries due to the force of the impact.
The accident happened at around 9:00am local time (02:00 GMT) while construction work was ongoing for a new express railway line. Thatchapon Chinnawong, a police superintendent in the area, told the BBC that the crane collapsed suddenly as the train passed underneath the construction site.
“The construction crane collapsed onto a running train leaving from Bangkok,” he said, adding that investigations were already underway to establish what caused the structure to give way.
Rescue teams worked for hours to recover bodies and assist survivors from the mangled train carriage. Heavy machinery was brought in to lift debris, while medics provided emergency care at the scene. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search operations continue and more victims are identified.
According to the train’s seating manifest, there were 195 passengers and crew members on board at the time of the accident, raising concerns that more people may still be unaccounted for. Family members of passengers gathered at nearby stations and hospitals, anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, has ordered a “thorough and comprehensive investigation” into the disaster. He said the probe would focus on construction safety standards, equipment maintenance, and whether proper procedures were followed during the project.
The government has also pledged support for victims and their families as the nation mourns the devastating loss of life caused by the tragic crash.
At least 22 dead as crane collapses
