Crane collapse on passenger train in northeast Thailand kills at least 22 people

Recently, a tragic accident unfolded in northeast Thailand when a large construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train, killing at least 22 people and injuring many others. The incident occurred on January 14, 2026, in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani when the crane, part of an ongoing infrastructure project, fell directly onto the railway track. The impact caused multiple carriages to derail, with the second number of coach sustaining the most damage. Emergency services responded quickly, but the scale of destruction is high.

According to Thai authorities, the train was carrying nearly 200 passengers and staff at the time of the crash. Several passengers were trapped inside damaged coaches, and some suffered severe injuries.

The crane was being used for construction work linked to a high-speed rail project, designed to improve connectivity between Thailand’s capital and its northeastern regions.

Image credit – The Japan Times