At Least 22 Killed, Over 80 Injured as Passenger Train Derails Near Bangkok

Bangkok:At least 22 people were killed and more than 80 injured after a passenger train traveling from Thailand’s capital Bangkok to the northeastern region derailed following a major accident, Thai police said.

According to police, the incident occurred early Wednesday morning in Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, located about 230 kilometers northeast of Bangkok. Authorities said the accident happened when a construction crane, being used in ongoing work on a high-speed rail project, suddenly collapsed and fell onto one of the passing train’s coaches.

The impact caused the train to derail, and a fire briefly broke out at the scene. At the time of the accident, the train was en route to Ubon Ratchathani province.

Police said the fire has been brought under control, while rescue and relief operations are continuing. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Officials have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and assess responsibility for the incident.