In a devastating accident in north-eastern Thailand, a construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, killing at least 32 people and injuring 66 others, including a one-year-old and an 85-year-old, with seven in critical condition; the incident, which occurred at around 09:00 local time (02:00 GMT) and involved the crane dropping a large concrete section, derailed four carriages and sparked a fire, prompting the State Railway of Thailand to launch an investigation and take legal action against the contractor, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, which expressed regret and promised compensation.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared “someone [must] be punished and held accountable,” stating “Accidents like this can only happen due to negligence,” a sentiment echoed by eyewitness Maliwan Nakthon who described “the crane slowly slid down and hit.
It struck hard, and then it came down and crushed the train,” and survivor Thirasak Wongsoongnern recounted being thrown into the air upon impact.