A routine train journey in Thailand turned fatal on Wednesday morning after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 64.
The accident has raised fresh questions about construction safety around live railway corridors, especially as Thailand pushes ahead with large infrastructure projects.
How the accident unfolded
The incident took place around 9.05 am in Sikhio district, about 230 km northeast of Bangkok.
The train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province when a crane at a nearby construction site lost balance and crashed onto one of the coaches.
The crane was part of an ongoing high-speed rail project running parallel to the existing track. As the train passed the site, the crane fell onto a moving carriage, forcing multiple coaches off the rails.
Some parts of the train briefly caught fire after the impact.
Rescue efforts and official response
Videos shared on social media showed twisted metal and mangled coaches, with rescue workers fighting through it to reach trapped passengers.
Firefighters, medical teams and disaster response units were rushed in. Many passengers were still inside the derailed coaches when help arrived.
Thailand’s public relations department confirmed the incident on X, saying several rescue teams were deployed immediately and that passengers were trapped inside the train.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said around 195 passengers were on board at the time of the accident.
He added that authorities are working to identify the victims and provide treatment to the injured, several of whom remain in critical condition.
The minister also said he had ordered a ‘transparent’ and ‘comprehensive’ probe to determine the cause of the collapse and prevent similar incidents.
The high-speed rail project linked to the crane is valued at approximately USD 5.4 billion.
Thailand has seen a series of industrial and construction-related accidents in recent years, often triggering concerns over safety compliance. Wednesday’s tragedy is likely to intensify scrutiny of safety standards near operational rail lines.