A passenger train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province derailed and caught fire after a construction crane collapsed onto the tracks in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeastern Thailand.
At a Glance
- Construction crane fell on moving train, killing 29 passengers
- 64 others injured, rescue crews still treating wounded
- Incident occurred on elevated section of Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project
- 195 people were on board the three-carriage train
- Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan has ordered an investigation
Why it matters: The accident exposes safety risks on a flagship $16.8 billion rail project meant to link China with Southeast Asia.
Derailment and Fire
The crane, being used to build an elevated portion of the railway, toppled as the passenger train passed underneath, according to the Nakhon Ratchasima public relations office.
Photos in Thai media show:
- White smoke rising, then dark plumes
- Construction equipment dangling between concrete support pillars
- Overturned carriages with gaping holes
- Sections of the crane strewn along the track
Video from public broadcaster ThaiPBS shows rescue workers standing on top of wrecked carriages while paramedics treat injured passengers. The last two of the train’s three carriages sustained the heaviest damage.
Casualties and Response
Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan confirmed that 195 people were on board. Rescue teams continue to search the wreckage and provide first aid.
Casualty count:
- 29 people killed
- 64 others injured
Authorities have not yet released the names or nationalities of the victims.
High-Speed Rail Link
The accident occurred on a segment of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway, a two-stage project connecting Bangkok to Nong Khai province on the border with Laos. The line is a key piece of China’s Belt and Road Initiative to knit together much of Southeast Asia.
Project details:
- Total investment: 520 billion baht ($16.8 billion)
- Planned to run from Bangkok to Nong Khai
- Part of broader regional high-speed rail network
Construction crews were working on an elevated stretch when the crane collapsed.
Previous Incident
This is not the first fatal accident on the route. In August 2024, a railway tunnel under construction in the same province collapsed, killing three workers. Days of heavy rain were blamed for that incident.
Key Takeaways
- A crane collapse on Thailand’s flagship high-speed rail line killed 29 passengers and injured 64 others
- The train carried 195 people; the last two carriages were most severely damaged
- The $16.8 billion project is central to China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan has ordered an investigation
