NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand — At least 32 people were killed and 64 others injured, including seven critically, after a construction crane fell onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday, authorities said. Three passengers remain missing, and 171 were believed to be on board the train when the accident occurred.
The crash took place in Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 200 kilometers northeast of Bangkok, on a section of a planned high-speed railway project that aims to link Thailand with China and Southeast Asia under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Officials said the launching gantry crane was being used to build an elevated segment of the railway when it collapsed as the train traveled from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. The crane is a self-supporting structure designed to move along rails or wheels during construction.
Video from public broadcaster ThaiPBS showed rescue workers climbing atop overturned rail cars, some with large holes torn in their sides, while crane debris was scattered along the track.
A local resident, Samai Teechantuek, 62, who lives near the site, described the scene as chaotic and terrifying. “When the dust settled, I saw the top of the train carriage. I heard people shouting ‘save the children first!’ A conductor was pulling people out, and locals ran to help,” she said.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed that an investigation has been ordered. The accident follows a previous incident in August 2024, when a railway tunnel on the same route collapsed, killing three workers amid heavy rainfall.
The elevated segment is part of a Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project connecting Bangkok to Nong Khai province, bordering Laos. The project’s total cost exceeds 520 billion baht ($16.8 billion), with the affected section valued at more than 179 billion baht ($5.7 billion) and originally scheduled to start operations in 2027.
Anan Phonimdaeng, acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand, said the main contractor for the segment is Italian-Thai Development, while a Chinese firm handled design and supervision. Authorities will investigate the responsibilities of both companies, and legal action against the contractor is planned. The train suffered damages estimated at over 100 million baht ($3.2 million).
Italian-Thai Development issued a statement expressing condolences and pledging compensation for the families of the deceased and medical expenses for the injured.
The incident has reignited public criticism of construction safety in Thailand. The contractor was also involved in the State Audit Building collapse in Bangkok in March, which killed approximately 100 people during a major earthquake. Executives indicted in that case have yet to face trial. Chinese involvement in several high-profile projects, including expressway extensions in Bangkok, has also drawn attention.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning expressed condolences and emphasized Beijing’s focus on the safety of projects and personnel. “The relevant section appears to be constructed by a Thai company, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation,” Mao said.
The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns over construction standards, contractor accountability, and public safety on large infrastructure projects in Thailand.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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