At least 22 people were killed after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province, with rescuers warning the death toll may rise.
WEBDESK – MediaBites – January 14, 2026
The accident occurred in Nakhon Ratchasima province, north of Bangkok, when the crane fell onto a train carriage during morning operations. Rescuers were still pulling bodies from the mangled carriage hours later, raising fears the death toll could climb.
According to the train’s seating plan, 195 passengers and staff were on board at the time of the crash. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals as investigators sealed off the site.
The railway line, largely financed by Thailand, uses Chinese technology and rolling stock but is not a joint venture. A proposed Thai-Chinese partnership collapsed years ago over disputes, including development rights along the route.
China views the line as a potential link between Yunnan province and the Gulf of Thailand, but the project has faced repeated delays, with Thai authorities showing limited urgency amid concerns it may not be commercially viable.
