A major train disaster in central Thailand has left at least 25 people dead and dozens more injured after a construction crane collapsed onto carriages this morning.
Chaos on the Tracks: The Moment of Impact
The incident occurred at approximately 9 am local time on 14 January 2026 in the Ban Thanon Khot district of Nakhon Ratchasima province. The train involved was the Special Express Train No. 21, travelling from the capital Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, carrying hundreds of local passengers and tourists.
Witnesses described a scene of terror as the heavy construction equipment plunged directly onto the tracks in front of the moving locomotive. Dao Boonpanya, a 70-year-old survivor, recounted being asleep before hearing a tremendous crash. "A crane fell onto the roof of the train," he said, explaining how the locomotive then dragged the crane, tearing carriages from the rails.
Passengers screamed as the train smashed into the metal wreckage, with more debris raining down on the carriages. The force of the collision caused several carriages to derail, leaving many trapped inside mangled metal.
Rescue Operation and Official Response
Emergency services, including police and paramedics, rushed to the scene to treat the injured and begin the complex task of extricating people from the wreckage. Police superintendent Thatchapon Chinnawong confirmed the grim details, stating, "The construction crane collapsed onto a running train leaving from Bangkok."
He added that while identities of the deceased were still being confirmed, all injured victims trapped inside had been evacuated. The latest figures confirm a death toll of 25, with more than 50 people injured. Victims have been transported to multiple medical facilities, including Sikhio Hospital, Sung Noen Hospital, and Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
Investigation into High-Speed Rail Project Link
Officials have revealed that the crane was part of a major infrastructure project. It was being used to construct a concrete platform for Thailand's new high-speed train network when it suddenly broke and fell. A railway construction worker at the scene stated, "The second and third carriages became entangled with the crane, causing the train to derail."
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the precise cause of the catastrophic structural failure. Rescue teams remain on site, working urgently to recover the wreckage and clear the line.
