At a Glance
- A construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in Thailand on Jan. 14, 2026, killing 31 people and injuring 64 others.
- The train carried 195 passengers, mostly students and workers, when the crane struck at 9 a.m. local time.
- The crane was working on an express rail line linking Thailand and China.
- Why it matters: The disaster highlights ongoing safety concerns after a series of fatal accidents blamed on lapses.
A construction crane working on a Thailand-China rail project collapsed onto a packed passenger train on Jan. 14, 2026, killing 31 people and injuring dozens more in Ban Thanon Khot, Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The train had departed Bangkok en route to Ubon Ratchathani province when the crane fell shortly after leaving Nong Nam Khun station, according to the BBC. Police superintendent Thatchapon Chinnawong confirmed the incident occurred around 9 a.m. as construction crews worked on the new express line.
Casualties and Evacuation
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reported 30 victims died at the scene and one died during transfer. Among the 64 injured, seven remain in serious condition, including a 1-year-old child and an 85-year-old adult.
All 195 passengers have been evacuated from the wreckage. The train served primarily students and workers commuting to schools and jobs in other districts, BBC Thai noted.
Witness Account
Local resident Mitr Intrpanya, 54, described hearing “a loud noise, like something sliding down from above, followed by two explosions” around 9 a.m. He told AFP the crane sliced the second of three carriages in half, with metal debris striking the middle section.
Train Speed and Impact
Train staff member Thirasak Wongsoongnern said the locomotive traveled at approximately 74 mph when the crane collapsed. The impact threw passengers into the air, he told Thairath Online, as reported by the BBC.
Official Response
Transport minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn expressed “deepest condolences to the bereaved families and those who got injured,” according to a State Railway of Thailand Facebook post. Authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse.
The disaster follows a pattern of fatal accidents in Thailand attributed to safety lapses, the BBC reported. Neither the State Railway of Thailand nor the Ministry of Public Health responded to News Of Losangeles‘s request for additional information.
Key Takeaways
- The crane collapse marks one of Thailand’s deadliest rail accidents in recent years
- All victims have been removed from the scene for treatment or identification
- The express rail project aims to connect Thailand and China, but safety protocols face scrutiny
- Thai authorities continue investigating the cause of the crane failure
