Bangkok, January 15 2026 (Agencies) – At least 32 people were killed and 66 others injured on Tuesday after a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in north-eastern Thailand, derailing several carriages and triggering a fire, authorities said.
Officials said around 171 passengers were on board the train at the time of the accident, which occurred at approximately 09:00 local time. Among the injured were a one-year-old child and an 85-year-old passenger, while at least seven people remain in critical condition.
According to initial reports, the train was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province and was carrying mostly students and workers commuting for school and employment in nearby districts. The crane fell directly onto the train, crushing several coaches and forcing them off the tracks, with one carriage catching fire following the impact.
The State Railway of Thailand confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident and announced legal action against the construction company responsible for operating the crane. The accident reportedly occurred while the crane was lifting a large concrete section, which dropped onto the passing train, causing extensive damage.
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, the firm linked to the construction site, expressed regret over the incident and said it would provide compensation and relief to the families of those killed or injured.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and devastation. Train staff member and survivor Thirasak Wongsoongnern told local media that passengers were thrown into the air when the crane struck the train. Another witness, Maliwan Nakthon, told BBC Thai that fragments of concrete began falling moments before the crane slowly collapsed and struck the train with force.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with rescue teams working for hours to extract victims trapped inside the damaged carriages. Authorities said further updates would be shared as the investigation progresses and casualty figures are confirmed.