“Thailand Train Disaster: Crane Collapse Kills 22, Derails Passenger Train”
Fatal Accident Raises Safety Concerns Near Construction Sites Along Active Railway Lines
Sikhio, Thailand, Jan 14: A routine passenger train journey turned deadly on Wednesday morning when a construction crane collapsed onto a moving train, killing at least 22 people and injuring more than 55, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred around 9:05 am in Sikhio district, approximately 230 km northeast of Bangkok, as the train travelled from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. The crane, part of a nearby high-speed rail construction project, toppled onto one of the carriages, derailing multiple coaches and briefly causing fires.
Rescue Efforts
Videos circulating on social media showed twisted metal and mangled train coaches, with rescue teams working to free passengers trapped inside. Firefighters, medical units, and disaster response teams were dispatched immediately to the scene.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said about 195 passengers were on board and confirmed that several injured passengers are in critical condition. He added that a comprehensive and transparent investigation has been ordered to determine the cause of the crane collapse and prevent future accidents.
Safety Concerns
The collapsed crane is linked to a USD 5.4 billion high-speed rail project running parallel to the existing tracks. The accident has sparked renewed scrutiny of construction safety near operational rail lines, especially amid Thailand’s ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects.
Thailand has witnessed a series of industrial and construction accidents in recent years, raising concerns over safety compliance and regulatory enforcement, which Wednesday’s tragedy is likely to intensify.
