Daijiworld Media Network - Bangkok

Bangkok, Jan 14: At least 22 people were killed after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Thailand, causing it to derail and briefly catch fire, media reports said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred on Wednesday morning in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, around 230 km northeast of Bangkok. The train was travelling from the Thai capital to Ubon Ratchathani province in the country’s northeast when the mishap took place.

According to reports, a crane being used for a high-speed rail project collapsed and struck the passing train, leading to the derailment. Reuters, quoting local police, said the train caught fire for a short period before the blaze was brought under control.

Rescue operations were immediately launched, with multiple emergency teams deployed to the site. Thailand’s government Public Relations Department said several passengers were trapped inside the derailed carriages.

“Construction crane for high-speed rail bridge collapsed onto moving passenger train in Sikhiu, Nakhon Ratchasima this morning at 9:05 am. Train derailed and caught fire. More than 30 passengers injured, many trapped in carriages. Multiple rescue teams deployed,” the department said in a post on X.

While some initial reports placed the death toll at 12, AFP quoted Nakhon Ratchasima provincial police chief Thatchapon Chinnawong as saying that at least 22 people had lost their lives in the tragic incident.

Authorities said rescue and relief operations were continuing, and an investigation has been launched to ascertain the exact cause of the crane collapse.