At least 29 dead after crane falls on to train in Thailand

At least 29 people have been killed after a construction crane fell on top of a moving train in northeast Thailand, according to officials.

Another 64 have been injured after the crane hit one of the carriages, causing the train to derail and briefly catch fire.

Officials said the identities of the passengers and staff on board the train, which was bound for Ubon Ratchathani province, are still being verified, and the number of victims may rise.

Reports indicate there were 195 passengers and staff on board, based on the train's seating plan.

Thailand transport minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan said he has ordered an investigation into the accident, with rescue efforts ongoing.

He expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and his concern for all passengers and members of the public affected, according to a government statement.

The crane was being used in work on a high-speed rail project in the ​Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, some 143 miles northeast of ‍Bangkok.

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Smoke engulfs carriage after crane hits Thai train

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Images published by Thai media showed clouds of white and later dark smoke rising from the site, with construction machinery dangling between two concrete support pillars.

Footage from public broadcaster ThaiPBS showed rescue workers standing on top of overturned rail carriages, some ripped open along their sides, while what appeared to be parts of the crane lay scattered across the tracks.

The collapsed elevated section forms part of a Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project connecting Bangkok with the northeastern border province of Nong Khai.

The two-phase development, valued at around 520 billion baht (about £12.3 billion), is linked to China's broader Belt and Road Initiative aimed at improving regional connectivity across Southeast Asia.

The Deputy Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, Anan Pothinimdaeng, said he went to the scene of the accident as soon as he was notified to oversee assistance for passengers and coordinate with medical units and relevant agencies.

In August 2024, a tunnel on the same planned rail route in Nakhon Ratchasima collapsed, killing three workers. Prolonged heavy rainfall is believed to have contributed to the incident.