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Crane Collapse Derails Thai Train, Killing 22 and Injuring Dozens

A passenger train in Thailand's Sikhio district was struck by a collapsing construction crane, causing a deadly derailment that killed at least 22 people. The crane was part of a parallel high-speed rail project, and its collapse led to several carriages leaving the tracks and a brief fire. Rescue teams worked to free passengers trapped in the twisted wreckage, with over 55 individuals reported injured. Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered a full investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

Key Points: Thai Train Derails After Crane Collapse, 22 Dead

  • Crane from high-speed rail project collapsed
  • Train derailed and briefly caught fire
  • Over 55 people injured, some critical
  • Rescue teams cut through wreckage
  • $5.4 billion project under scrutiny
2 min read

Crane collapse derails train in Thailand, killing 22

A passenger train in Thailand derailed after a construction crane collapsed onto it, killing at least 22 people and injuring over 55. Officials launch investigation.

"instructed agencies to conduct a transparent, comprehensive investigation - Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn"

New Delhi, Jan 14

A passenger train travelling from Bangkok to Thailand's northeastern region met with a major accident on Wednesday after a construction crane collapsed onto one of its coaches, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people and injuries to over 55 others, according to Thai police officials.

The incident occurred at around 9:05 am in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, located nearly 230 km northeast of the Thai capital. The train was en route to Ubon Ratchathani province when the accident took place.

Preliminary information suggests that the crane was being used at a construction site for a high-speed railway project running parallel to the existing rail line. While the train was passing through the area, the crane reportedly lost balance and collapsed, striking a moving carriage. The impact caused several coaches to derail, and parts of the train briefly caught fire, adding to the chaos at the site.

Videos circulating on social media showed extensive damage to the train, with rescue personnel cutting through twisted metal to reach passengers trapped inside the derailed coaches. Emergency responders, including firefighters, medical teams, and disaster response units, were rushed to the scene to carry out rescue and relief operations.

The Thai government's public relations department confirmed the incident on social media platform X, stating that multiple rescue teams were deployed immediately after the collapse. It added that many passengers were trapped inside the carriages at the time of the accident.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he has instructed agencies to conduct a transparent, comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and prevent recurrence.

Thailand's Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that around 195 passengers were on board the train. Authorities are currently working to identify the victims and provide medical assistance to those injured, several of whom are reported to be in critical condition.

The collapsed crane was part of a high-speed rail project valued at approximately $5.4 billion.

Thailand has witnessed several industrial and construction-related accidents in recent years, often raising concerns over safety compliance. Following Wednesday's tragedy, authorities have ordered a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the crane collapse and fix accountability.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Very sad news. It makes you think about our own infrastructure projects in India. We are also building so many highways and metros. Authorities must ensure contractor safety standards are world-class and strictly enforced. Lives are more important than project deadlines.
D
David E
Tragic accident. The report mentions this is part of a multi-billion dollar high-speed rail project. When such massive investments are made, a fraction of that budget MUST be allocated to rigorous, on-ground safety supervision. This seems like a catastrophic failure of oversight.
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Anjali F
Om Shanti. Seeing the images of the rescue is chilling. It's good that the Thai Transport Minister has promised a transparent probe. We need the same level of accountability here. Often after such accidents, the focus shifts to compensation but not on fixing the root cause.
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Siddharth J
A crane collapsing onto a moving train... it sounds like something out of a movie, but it's horrifyingly real. My heart goes out to Thailand. This is a wake-up call for all developing nations racing to build infrastructure. Speed cannot come at the cost of safety. Full stop.
K
Kavya N
So many families shattered. While we express solidarity, I hope the investigation is truly independent and not just a formality. The article says Thailand has had similar incidents before. When will governments learn? Profits and progress should never be prioritized over people.

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