Emergency teams rushed to the scene to rescue passengers trapped inside the damaged train, which was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani with nearly 200 people onboard. Witnesses described hearing a loud crash followed by explosions as metal from the crane tore through one of the carriages. Authorities later suspended rescue efforts temporarily due to concerns over chemical leakage at the site.
Officials have launched an investigation to determine what caused the crane to collapse. The accident occurred at a site linked to a multi-billion-dollar rail project backed by China, part of the Belt and Road Initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity. The incident has once again raised concerns over construction safety standards in Thailand, where industrial accidents remain a recurring issue.
High-Speed Rail Construction Disaster Kills 22 as Crane Hits Passenger Train
Journalist, Editor, Social Media
Published on: Jan 14, 2026
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A tragic accident struck Thailand on Wednesday when a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, leaving at least 22 people dead and dozens injured. The train derailed after being hit by the crane, which was operating at a nearby high-speed rail construction site, and several carriages briefly caught fire following the impact.
