At approximately 09:05[2] or 09:30[3]Indochina Time (UTC+7) on 14 January 2026, a construction crane fell on a passenger train with 208 people[1] onboard in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, killing at least 32 people and injuring 66 others, with three reported missing.[4][5]
The train left Bangkok at 06:10 ICT,[9] departing from Krung Thep Aphiwat Station in Bangkok and was travelling the Northeastern Line to Ubon Ratchathani province.[10][11][12] At around 09:00, between the Nong Nam Khun station and Sikhio stations in Ban Thanon Khot village, an overhead crane lifting a concrete slab for the construction of the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway network by ITD collapsed onto the train which was passing along a preexisting line.[7] The last two carriages of the train were severely damaged. The crane fell along with its concrete load, leading to the derailment of the train, and a brief fire.[13][14][15] The train was traveling at an estimated speed of 120km/h (75mph) at the time of the crash.[16] Coaches 1, 2 and 3 were struck by the support base of the crane, which weighed 20–30 tons, and its load, with coach 3 catching fire. Coach 4 was detached from the train as a result of the derailment.[17][18] Initial damages to the train were estimated at more than 100 million baht (US$31 million).[4]
The crane operator, 52-year-old Sombat Simthantuk, revealed that before the crash occurred, he heard a sound similar to uneven concrete joints sliding. After Sombat ordered the workers to get down from the platform, the support leg holding the concrete slab collapsed, injuring Sombat and others.[19]
Victims
At least 32 people were killed and 66 others were injured. Among the injured were seven people in critical condition, including a 1-year-old and an 85-year-old.[4] According to the Health Department of Nakhon Ratchasima province, the majority of casualties were found in the second passenger cabin which were either burned or crushed beyond idenfication.[20] Passengers were unable to escape the fires at the air-conditioned carriages due to the automatic electric doors and non-opening windows.[21] Injuries ranged from head, chest, and leg injuries, including fractures and pneumothorax.[22]
Aftermath
Services along the Northeastern Railway were partially suspended, while the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) rerouted other trains away from the affected segment.[23]
ITD pledged to provide compensation to families of the victims.[4]
Investigation
The SRT launched an investigation into the incident and announced that it is taking legal action against the construction company responsible for the crane.[4] The Department of Rail Transport[th] ordered a review of safety protocols regarding the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway.[24] The department later said the contractor disobeyed a safety order from the Ministry of Transport prohibiting work on the elevated structure when a train or any vehicle is passing underneath, adding that a fail-safe mechanism at the site failed to activate.[16]
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Thailand