‘Squished Between Chairs’ on a Train: How Some Passengers Survived a Crane Collapse

On Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand, a crane collapsed onto a passenger train, killing at least 32 people and injuring dozens more. Passengers described being trapped and injured in the mangled train cars, with some requiring rescue by locals. A second crane collapse occurred the following day on an expressway in Samut Sakhon Province, killing at least two people. Both incidents involved the same contractor, Italian-Thai Development, which has faced scrutiny for past construction accidents. The company has stated it will take full responsibility for the train accident and provide compensation to victims and their families. The incidents have raised concerns about construction safety standards in Thailand.

A construction crane collapsed onto a moving train in Ban Thanon Khot, Thailand on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring 66. The accident occurred as the train, carrying mostly students and workers, traveled through the town, a key transportation hub. Witnesses described a loud crash and chaotic scene with mangled train cars, including one that caught fire, hindering rescue efforts. Emergency responders used cranes and hydraulic tools to extract trapped passengers, while local residents assisted the injured. Authorities reported that three people are still missing, and seven of the injured are in critical condition.

Two people were killed in a crane collapse on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The incident occurred in Samut Sakhon province during the construction of an elevated highway, injuring five others. This follows a separate crane collapse the previous day in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast of Bangkok, which killed 32 people when a crane fell onto a moving train. Both incidents involved the same construction firm, Italian-Thai Development, which was contracted for a China-backed high-speed rail project. The Rama II Expressway, where Thursday's accident occurred, has a history of deadly accidents due to ongoing infrastructure projects.

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, a construction crane collapsed on an expressway outside of Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least two people. The incident occurred in Samut Sakhon Province, southwest of Bangkok, where crews were building an elevated section of the motorway. The collapse crushed two vehicles, and rescue workers were on the scene. This is the second fatal crane accident in Thailand in two days; on Wednesday, a crane collapse killed at least 32 people. Both construction sites were managed by Italian-Thai Development. Thailand's transport minister stated that the construction site was not supposed to be active at the time of the accident and that the government must consider halting similar construction to review safety measures. The accident occurred on Rama 2 Road, known for frequent and fatal accidents.

On January 14, 2026, a deadly train accident occurred in Thailand. A passenger train was struck by falling construction cranes, causing significant damage to the carriages. The impact ripped roofs off the train cars and resulted in at least 29 fatalities. The incident was reported by Al Jazeera, with Tony Cheng reporting from the wreckage site. The cause of the crane collapse was not specified in the provided information. The accident resulted in a significant loss of life and widespread damage to the train.

At least 32 people were killed and 66 injured in northeastern Thailand when a construction crane collapsed onto a moving train traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province. The incident, which occurred around 9:00 am local time, derailed the train and crushed several carriages, causing one to catch fire. The train was carrying approximately 171 passengers, including students and workers. The State Railway of Thailand has launched an investigation and is pursuing legal action against the construction company, Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, which has expressed regret and pledged compensation. The crane was being used for a China-backed overhead railway project. The Thai Prime Minister has called for accountability and punishment for those responsible, citing potential negligence or deviations from safety protocols.

A construction crane collapsed onto a moving train in north-eastern Thailand, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and 66 injuries. The incident derailed the train, crushed carriages, and caused a fire. Among the injured are a one-year-old and an 85-year-old, with seven individuals in critical condition. The BBC's correspondent described the accident site as "desperately grim." The State Railway of Thailand has initiated an investigation into the collapse and is pursuing legal action against the construction company responsible for the crane.

A construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, on Wednesday, derailing the train and causing a fire. The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani with 195 people on board. At least 22 people were killed and 64 injured in the accident. Rescue efforts were temporarily halted due to the crane shifting, hindering the removal of bodies from the train carriages. An investigation into the cause of the crane collapse is currently underway, according to the Transport Minister.

On Wednesday, a crane fell on a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast of Bangkok, Thailand, killing at least 22 people and injuring 80 others. The express train was carrying 195 passengers when the accident occurred. According to police, the crane fell from a height of approximately 65 feet. Emergency workers were seen searching the mangled train cars. The cause of the crane collapse is currently under investigation by authorities.

On January 14, 2026, a deadly train crash in northeast Thailand resulted in at least 29 fatalities and numerous injuries. The accident occurred when a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train, causing it to derail. Following the derailment, the train caught fire, trapping passengers inside. Rescue efforts are currently underway to free those still trapped within the wreckage. The cause of the crane collapse is currently unknown.