Around 32 dead after crane collapses on train in Thailand

Crane collapse onto high-speed rail track, hitting a passing train and causing it to derail

Cora Smith, Editor

February 3, 2026

Rescue workers at the site of the train crash in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, on Thursday ( SIKHIO DISTRICT, Reuters / January 15, 26 ).

On Wednesday, January 14th, 32 people had been killed, along with 66 others injured, after a construction crane fell onto a moving train in north-east Thailand.

A train travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani lies damaged after it derailed when a construction crane fell onto one of its carriages in Sikhio district ( Thailand Ministry of Transport, Reuters / January. 14, 26 ).

The train had been originally travelling from Bangkok to north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province before the accident had occurred, carrying mainly students and workers who were travelling for school and work in other districts.

The crane had caused the train to derail at around 9 a.m., crushing some of its carriages and setting one of them on fire between the Nong Nam Khun and Sikhiu stations in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima.

Local outlet The Nation, as cited in BBC’s article on the matter, reported that the crane had fallen due to trying to lift a large concrete section which dropped onto the train, causing several coaches to derail ( Head , Jan, 14, 25 ).

According to an article by BBC News, Thai state railways are allegedly taking legal action against the construction company responsible for the crane ( Quinto , Jan, 14, 25 ).

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand also said on Thursday that the government would begin pursing legal charges against those who are responsible for the accident.

As written in a New York Times article, “ This has happened multiple times and it’s the same contractors, ” Prime Minister Anutin spoke. “ I don’t think the state would want this company to continue working. ”( Wee , Jan, 14, 25 ).