At least 32 people have died, and 66 others were injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.
The accident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. local time as the train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. Officials said 171 passengers were on board, many of them students and workers commuting to nearby districts.
Train Derailed, Carriages Crushed
The falling crane struck several carriages, forcing the train off the tracks. One coach caught fire following the impact. Emergency responders assisted the injured at the scene before transferring them to hospitals in surrounding areas.
Among those hurt were a one-year-old child and an 85-year-old elderly passenger. Seven people remain in critical condition, according to local health authorities.
Passengers Describe Moment of Impact
Train staff member Thirasak Wongsoongnern said passengers were violently thrown into the air when the crane collapsed.
Another witness, Maliwan Nakthon, described seeing small pieces of concrete fall before the crane slowly slid down and crashed onto the train. She said the entire incident unfolded in less than one minute.
Investigation and Legal Action
The State Railway of Thailand has launched a formal investigation and announced legal action against the construction company responsible for the crane.
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited expressed regret over the tragedy and stated that it would provide compensation and assistance to the families of the victims.
Officials estimate that damage to the train carriages alone exceeds 100 million baht (about US$31 million).
Project Linked to Regional Rail Network
The crane was part of construction work on an elevated railway linked to a China-backed regional rail project connecting Bangkok with Laos and southwestern China. The affected section is known as the Lam Takhong-Sikhio stretch.
Authorities confirmed that no Chinese companies or workers were involved in the collapse.
Prime Minister Demands Accountability
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that those responsible must be held accountable, describing the incident as the result of negligence, design deviations, or the use of improper materials.
He is expected to visit the site later to oversee the investigation.
Company’s Safety Record Under Scrutiny
The construction firm involved is one of Thailand’s largest contractors and has previously faced scrutiny over a Bangkok skyscraper collapse during an earthquake last year. Several executives and engineers were later charged with professional negligence, though some denied wrongdoing.
Ongoing Safety Concerns
Thailand has seen several fatal construction and transport accidents in recent years, raising long-standing questions about safety standards. In 2023, a train hit a pickup truck at a crossing, and eight people died. Separate road upgrade projects across the country have also been linked to around 150 deaths over the past seven years.
The latest crash has once again drawn attention to gaps in oversight. Many officials and safety experts say stronger enforcement and stricter inspections are needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
