A major construction accident in north-east Thailand has left at least 32 people dead and dozens injured after a crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train. The incident has raised serious concerns about construction safety, accountability, and oversight, particularly as it occurred during work on a large scale rail infrastructure project.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred at around 09:00 local time when a construction crane fell onto a train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. The crane derailed the train and crushed several carriages, one of which caught fire. Authorities reported that approximately 171 passengers were on board at the time, many of them students and workers commuting for school and employment.
Emergency services confirmed that at least 66 people were injured, including a one year old child and an 85 year old passenger. Seven victims remain in critical condition. Survivors described being thrown into the air as the crane struck the train, while witnesses reported that falling concrete fragments preceded the collapse.
Cause and Eyewitness Accounts
Local media reported that the crane was lifting a large concrete section when it dropped directly onto the passing train, causing multiple coaches to derail. Eyewitnesses said the collapse unfolded in less than one minute. Video and on site accounts described a chaotic scene, with debris scattered across the tracks and emergency workers racing to rescue trapped passengers.
Official Response and Investigation
Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The prime minister called for accountability and stated that such accidents typically result from negligence, deviations from approved designs, skipped procedures, or the use of improper materials. The State Railway of Thailand announced it is taking legal action against the construction company responsible for the crane.
The Italian Thai Development Company, which oversaw the section of the project where the incident occurred, expressed regret and said it would compensate the families of those killed and injured. Initial estimates place the damage to the train carriages at more than 100 million baht.
Project Background and Safety Concerns
The crane was part of construction work on an overhead railway linked to a China backed high speed rail project connecting Bangkok with Laos. The project is valued at approximately 5.4 billion US dollars and is intended to improve regional connectivity. Chinese officials stated that no Chinese companies or workers were involved in the crane collapse.
Thailand has experienced multiple deadly construction and transport accidents in recent years, often attributed to weak enforcement of safety standards. Past incidents include fatal railway collisions and road construction accidents that have collectively claimed hundreds of lives.
Conclusion
The crane collapse in north-east Thailand stands as one of the deadliest construction related transport accidents in recent years. As investigations continue, the incident has intensified scrutiny of safety practices on major infrastructure projects and renewed calls for stricter enforcement and accountability to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
