A major construction crane has collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeast Thailand, causing a catastrophic derailment and fire that has left at least 31 people dead and 64 others injured.
Details of the Catastrophic Derailment
The tragic incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, 14 January 2026, in the province of Nakhon Ratchasima. The train, which was travelling at speed from the capital Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, was struck by the falling crane approximately 230 kilometres northeast of Bangkok.
The force of the impact caused the train to derail and subsequently catch fire, leading to a significant emergency response. The crane was reportedly involved in construction work for a major Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, an ambitious infrastructure initiative in the region.
Company Takes Responsibility as Investigation Launched
The company responsible for the construction work, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, has issued a statement expressing its condolences to the victims and their families. The firm has stated it is taking full responsibility for the accident.
Thailand's acting prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, has responded forcefully to the disaster. He has called for all responsible parties to be punished and held accountable, noting that this particular project has experienced previous safety incidents.
An official investigation into the precise cause of the crane's collapse is now underway. Authorities are also working to verify the identities of all those affected by the tragedy.
Aftermath and Compensation for Victims
In the wake of the crash, officials have confirmed that compensation will be provided to the families of the deceased, particularly if the victims were railway workers. The scale of the incident has shocked the nation and raised serious questions about safety protocols on major infrastructure projects.
This devastating event underscores the critical importance of rigorous health and safety measures in construction, especially when work is conducted in close proximity to active transport links. The community and the nation are now mourning one of Thailand's worst rail disasters in recent years.
