Thailand: Dozens die as crane falls on passenger train
Thai officials have raised the death toll to at least 29 after an accident caused by a construction crane falling on a passenger train northeast of the Thai capital, Bangkok.
At least 64 people were reported injured in the accident.
The train was travelling from Bangkok to Thailand's northeast when the accident occurred in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, 230 kilometers (143 miles) northeast of Bangkok.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that 195 people were on board the train. He said he has ordered an investigation into the incident.
The public relation department of the Thai government released a picture of the derailed train on social media.
Construction crane for high-speed rail bridge collapsed onto moving passenger train in Sikhiu, Nakhon Ratchasima this morning (14 Jan) at 9:05 am. Train derailed and caught fire. 30+ passengers injured, many trapped in carriages. Multiple rescue teams deployed. pic.twitter.com/X4c0vyQIwA
— PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) January 14, 2026
Thatchapon Chinnawong, the district's police chief, later told French news agency AFP that rescue operations were being paused due to "chemical leakage" at the scene.
What do we know about the incident?
What do we know about the incident?
The crane was being used in building a high-speed rail network when it collapsed at around 09:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT).
"A crane collapsed onto a train causing it to derail and catch fire," the Nakhon Ratchasima Public Relations Department said in a statement.
The department said the fire was put out and the search for those trapped inside the train was underway.
Live footage aired by local media showed rescue workers rushing to the scene, with a brightly coloured train derailed on its side as smoke billowed from the debris.
