A catastrophic construction accident in northeastern Thailand resulted in significant casualties on Wednesday when a massive crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train. The incident, which occurred in the Nakhon Ratchasima province, involved a crane that was part of an elevated high-speed railway construction project plummeting onto an active train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province.
The impact caused immediate derailment of the train cars followed by a serious fire outbreak. Emergency response teams from the Nakhon Ratchasima Public Relations Department quickly mobilized to the scene, working to contain the blaze and initiate rescue operations for passengers potentially trapped within the wreckage.
According to official statements from Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan, the tragedy claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals among the 195 passengers and crew aboard the train at the time of the accident. Minister Ratchakitprakan has immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the crane failure and subsequent derailment, focusing on construction safety protocols and regulatory compliance within the infrastructure project.