The death toll from a construction crane collapse onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Tuesday morning has risen to at least 22, with 55 others injured.
The accident occurred in Sikhio District, when a crane lifting a bridge segment for the Bangkok–Ubon Ratchathani high-speed railway fell onto Special Express Train No. 21, a three-carriage train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani.
The train was carrying approximately 195 passengers and staff.
The impact caused the train to derail and catch fire near Ban Thanon Kot. The second and third carriages were severely damaged, and most of the victims were passengers traveling in those cars.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), through its Regional Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center 5 in Nakhon Ratchasima, dispatched emergency response teams and heavy rescue equipment to the scene.
Rescue units, including multi-purpose rescue vehicles, building-collapse rescue trucks, and fire engines, worked to extract victims and transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Officials confirmed 22 fatalities and 55 injuries as of Tuesday afternoon.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said preliminary reports indicated the train was carrying a total of 195 passengers and staff, based on the seating plan.
He expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and his concern for all passengers and residents affected by the incident.
He also ordered the Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport and the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to immediately inspect the site and conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the cause of the accident to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, Anan Phonimdaeng, acting Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, said he traveled to the site immediately to oversee rescue operations.
Injured passengers were taken to several hospitals, including Sikhio Hospital, Pak Chong Nana Hospital, Theparat Hospital in Khok Kruat Subdistrict, and Bangkok Ratchasima Hospital in Mueang District.
Authorities said they are continuing to verify casualty figures and gather further details.
