Train Bound for Ubon Ratchathani Derails After Crane Collapse in Thailand

A tragic accident claimed at least 22 lives and injured more than 30 people on January 14, 2026, when a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Thailand's Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, approximately 230 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. The derailment occurred in the morning as the train, traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province in the country's northeast, was struck by the falling crane, which was reportedly part of a high-speed rail construction project.

Local police chief Thatchapon Chinnawong confirmed the casualty figures to AFP, stating that 22 people were killed and over 30 injured in the incident. The impact caused several carriages to derail and briefly catch fire, complicating immediate rescue efforts. Authorities reported that the fire has since been extinguished, allowing emergency responders to focus on extracting survivors from the wreckage.

Footage circulating on social media showed intense rescue operations, with first responders using cutting tools to access trapped passengers amid the twisted metal of the derailed train. Medical teams were deployed to the site to provide on-the-spot treatment to the injured, many of whom were subsequently transferred to nearby hospitals for further care.

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The accident has raised immediate concerns about safety protocols at ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly those involving heavy machinery near active railway lines. Thai authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crane collapse, including whether factors such as structural failure, operator error, or adverse weather conditions contributed to the disaster.

Rescue work continues as teams work to clear the site and recover any remaining victims. Officials have urged the public to avoid the affected area to facilitate emergency operations. This incident marks one of the deadliest rail-related accidents in Thailand in recent years, prompting calls for stricter oversight of construction activities near transportation corridors. Condolences have begun pouring in from across the country as the nation mourns the loss of life.

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