Sikhio, Thailand: A tragic accident struck northeastern Thailand on Wednesday morning when a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, causing it to derail and resulting in at least 22 deaths and dozens of injuries, authorities said.
The incident occurred at around 9:05 a.m. (local time) in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, approximately 230 km northeast of Bangkok, along the route of a train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, reported Hindustan Times.
According to police and official statements as cited in the report, a crane working on a high-speed rail project colla
psed onto the passing train, striking several carriages. The impact caused the train to derail and briefly catch fire.
Authorities reported that rescue teams were deployed immediately. The fire was extinguished, and emergency responders were cutting through the twisted metal of mangled carriages to free trapped passengers.
Thailand’s government Public Relations Department said in a social media post that many passengers were trapped inside the derailed carriages, and more than 30 people were injured.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden loud noise before the collapsed crane landed on the train. One local resident said he heard what sounded like something sliding from above, followed by explosions, and later saw the crane crushing one of the carriages.
While initial reports varied, the police chief of Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thatchapon Chinnawong, confirmed the death toll at least 22.
Rescue operations continue, and authorities are still working to assess the full extent of the casualties and the cause of the crane’s collapse.