A construction crane collapse in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast Thailand, has killed at least 28 people and injured 64, as it fell onto a passenger train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani.

The accident occurred on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in the Sikhio district, about 230 kilometers (143 miles) northeast of the Thai capital, during a major high-speed rail construction project.

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How the Accident Happened

The crane, which was part of a joint Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, was being used to construct an elevated track above an existing railway line. Reports indicate that the crane fell onto the moving passenger train, causing it to derail and briefly catch fire.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said there were 195 passengers on board. The fatalities occurred in two of the three carriages struck by the crane. The exact death toll is still being confirmed, with reports varying between 28 and 31.

“Initial reports said there were only four fatalities. That very quickly jumped to 12,” said Al Jazeera correspondent Tony Cheng from Bangkok. He added that the death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue clearing the site.

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Eyewitness Accounts

Local resident Mitr Intrpanya, 54, described the moment of the accident:

“At around 9am, I heard a loud noise, like something sliding down from above, followed by two explosions. When I went to see what had happened, I found the crane sitting on a passenger train with three carriages. The metal from the crane appeared to strike the middle of the second carriage, slicing it in half.”

Rescue teams have deployed heavy equipment to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, and authorities are coordinating emergency response efforts.

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High-Speed Rail Project Context

The railway line affected by the accident is a commonly used route connecting Bangkok with northeast Thailand. The high-speed rail project, intended to run on an elevated concrete platform above the existing tracks, has been under construction for approximately a decade.

“Pictures from the scene show that the crane, which was operating above the rail line, fell from the concrete columns supporting the elevated track,” Cheng explained.

The project is part of a broader Thai-Chinese infrastructure initiative designed to modernize rail transport and improve connectivity between Thailand’s capital and its northeastern provinces.

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Thailand’s Record of Construction and Railway Accidents

Industrial and construction accidents are not uncommon in Thailand. Recent notable incidents include:

• 2023: A freight train struck a pick-up truck in eastern Thailand, killing eight people.
• 2020: A freight train collided with a passenger bus heading to a religious ceremony, killing at least 18 and injuring more than 40.
• March 2023: An under-construction high-rise building collapsed in Bangkok following an earthquake, killing over 100.

Experts say that safety standards and enforcement at industrial and construction sites remain inconsistent, contributing to repeated fatalities in such incidents.

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Rescue Efforts Underway

Authorities are continuing rescue and recovery operations, working to remove debris and provide aid to survivors. The Thai government has launched a full investigation into the incident, focusing on potential negligence or safety violations at the construction site.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crane collapse and prevent future tragedies.

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Humanitarian and Safety Concerns

The accident has raised broader concerns about construction safety, worker training, and equipment maintenance in Thailand, particularly at large-scale infrastructure projects. Civil authorities and human rights observers have called for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent similar disasters in the future.