At least twenty-nine people have been killed and dozens more injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeast Thailand, causing a catastrophic derailment and fire.
Scene of Devastation in Nakhon Ratchasima
The fatal incident occurred on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, approximately 143 miles northeast of Bangkok. The crane, which was being used for work on a major Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, fell directly onto one of the carriages of a train bound for Ubon Ratchathani province.
Officials confirmed the train, carrying 195 passengers and staff according to its seating plan, derailed and briefly caught fire upon impact. The identities of those on board are still being verified, and authorities have warned the number of victims may yet rise. Sixty-four people were reported injured in the disaster.
Rescue Operation and Official Response
Images and footage from the scene, published by Thai media and the public broadcaster ThaiPBS, showed a scene of severe wreckage. Clouds of white and dark smoke billowed from the site, with rescue workers standing on top of overturned carriages that had been ripped open. Parts of the massive crane were seen scattered across the tracks.
Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan immediately ordered a full investigation into the cause of the accident. In a government statement, he expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and his concern for all affected. Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Anan Pothinimdaeng, rushed to the scene to oversee passenger assistance and coordinate with medical units.
Project History and Broader Context
The collapsed elevated section was part of a significant infrastructure development: a high-speed rail link connecting Bangkok with Nong Khai on the northeastern border. This two-phase project, valued at around 520 billion baht (approximately £12.3 billion), is linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative aimed at enhancing regional connectivity in Southeast Asia.
This is not the first fatal incident on this planned route. In August 2024, a tunnel on the same rail project in Nakhon Ratchasima collapsed, killing three workers, an incident believed to have been influenced by prolonged heavy rainfall. The latest tragedy raises urgent new questions about construction safety protocols on the flagship project as rescue efforts continue and the investigation gets underway.
