A catastrophic construction accident in northeast Thailand has left at least 31 people dead and dozens more injured after a crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train.
Details of the Derailment and Fire
The incident occurred on Wednesday 14 January 2026 in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, approximately 143 miles northeast of Bangkok. A crane, being used for work on a high-speed rail project, fell directly onto one of the carriages of a train bound for Ubon Ratchathani province.
The impact caused the train to derail and briefly catch fire. According to the Thai Health Ministry, 64 people were injured in addition to the fatalities. Officials stated that the identities of the 195 passengers and staff reported to be on board are still being verified, and warned that the number of victims may rise.
Ongoing Rescue and Investigation
Rescue efforts are underway, with footage from ThaiPBS showing workers standing on top of overturned carriages, some of which were ripped open. Images from the scene showed clouds of smoke and construction machinery dangling between concrete pillars, with parts of the crane scattered across the tracks.
Thailand's Transport Minister, Piphat Ratchakitprakan, has ordered a full investigation into the cause of the collapse. In a government statement, he expressed his deepest condolences to the victims' families and his concern for all those affected. Anan Pothinimdaeng, Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, went to the scene to oversee passenger assistance and coordinate with medical units.
Project Background and Previous Incident
The collapsed section was part of a major Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project valued at around 520 billion baht (approximately £12.3 billion). This two-phase development, linking Bangkok with Nong Khai province, is connected to China's broader Belt and Road Initiative.
The construction firm involved, The Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, issued a statement expressing sorrow and pledging compensation and support to the families of those killed and injured.
This is not the first fatal incident on this planned route. In August 2024, a tunnel collapse in the same province killed three workers, an incident believed to have been influenced by heavy rainfall.
