At Least 22 Killed as Crane Collapse Derails Passenger Train in Thailand

At least 22 people were killed and 64 others injured on Wednesday after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Thailand, triggering a derailment and fire, officials have confirmed.

The incident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima province as the train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani. According to the province’s Public Relations Department, the crane struck the train mid-journey, causing several coaches to derail and burst into flames.

Emergency responders said the fire had been brought under control, while search and rescue operations continued for passengers believed to be trapped inside the wreckage.

Thailand’s Transport Minister, Piphat Ratchakitprakan, said nearly 200 people were on board the train at the time of the accident and confirmed that a full investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the crane collapse.

Police Colonel Thatchapon Chinnawong told Reuters that recovery efforts were temporarily halted due to safety concerns. “Nineteen bodies have been recovered so far, but there are still victims inside the carriages that cannot be removed yet because the crane began shifting,” he said.

Authorities said rescue operations would resume once the area is declared safe, as the country mourns one of its deadliest rail-related disasters in recent years.