A high-speed rail construction crane fell onto a moving passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, January 14, 2026: At least 22 people were killed and over 30 others injured on Wednesday morning when a massive construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand. The accident occurred at approximately 9:05 a.m. local time in the Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, roughly 230 kilometers northeast of Bangkok.
The train, which was traveling from the capital toward Ubon Ratchathani province, was carrying 195 passengers and staff when the crane—used for an elevated high-speed railway project—suddenly fell. The impact caused the carriages to derail and sparked a fast-moving fire, trapping several passengers inside. Rescue teams and first responders rushed to the scene, using hydraulic cutting tools to free those pinned under the wreckage.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn confirmed the casualties and stated that a comprehensive investigation has been ordered into the safety protocols of the $5.4-billion China-backed high-speed rail project. Local police indicated that the death toll could rise as emergency workers continue to clear the debris. The fire has since been extinguished, and the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care.
