A devastating rail accident unfolded in Nakhon Ratchasima on Wednesday morning after a long-distance passenger train travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani slammed into a collapsed construction crane, killing at least 28 people and injuring 64 others.
The collision occurred at around 9:05am on a stretch of track in Ban Thanon Kod, Sikhiu district, roughly 230 kilometres northeast of the capital.
Special Express Train No. 21 had departed Krung Thep Aphiwat Station at 5am and was travelling at about 120 kilometres per hour when it struck the fallen crane.
At the time of the crash, the train was carrying 120 passengers.
Emergency services were rushed to the scene as rescue operations began amid twisted metal and burning debris.
Initial reports indicate that the crane, which was being used in the construction of a high-speed rail bridge, collapsed across the tracks moments before the train approached. The impact caused the train to derail, while additional construction materials fell onto the carriages.
The second carriage bore the brunt of the impact. The crane fell directly onto the car, which was carrying around 40 passengers, triggering a fire that spread rapidly.
Escape proved extremely difficult as the air-conditioned train was equipped with automatic electric doors and windows that could not be opened manually, trapping passengers inside.
Rescue teams used hydraulic cutting equipment to reach those trapped in the wreckage, working for hours to free survivors. The injured were transported to hospitals in Sikhiu, Sung Noen and Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima for treatment.
As of the latest update, authorities have confirmed that 28 people have died and 64 others have been injured.
The collapsed crane was part of ongoing construction on the Thai–Chinese High-Speed Railway project in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he had been briefed on the incident and ordered the State Railway of Thailand to carry out an urgent and thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse.
An emergency coordination centre was established at the site to assist stranded passengers and arrange alternative travel routes. According to the State Railway of Thailand, the train consisted of three carriages and was carrying 195 passengers and staff in total, based on seating records.
The rail bridge under construction forms part of Section One of the US$5.4-billion Thai–Chinese High-Speed Railway, linking Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.
Launched in 2017, the project is designed to eventually connect Bangkok to Kunming in China via Laos by 2028 as part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.
Authorities said investigations into the cause of the crane collapse are continuing. In the meantime, Special Express Train services No. 21 and 22 between Bangkok and Ubon Ratchathani have been cancelled, while 14 other services on routes between Bangkok, Ubon Ratchathani and Surin were adjusted on Wednesday.
