A train derailed in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on three of its carriages, killing at least 25 people and injuring about 80, police said.

The accident took place in the morning in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, 230 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, on a train from the capital bound for Ubon Ratchathani province.

"The death toll has now reached 25. The search for more bodies is ongoing," said Police Colonel ‍Thatchapon Chinnawong.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said there were 195 people on board, adding that he had ordered a thorough investigation ‍to be carried out.

Those killed were in two of the three carriages hit by the crane, he said.

The crane was working on a high-speed rail project when it collapsed and hit the passing train, causing it to derail and briefly catch fire.

Images shared by the ministry showed carriages overturned next to shrubland and firefighters extinguishing a blaze as smoke billowed out.

The elevated high-speed rail project, one of several under construction in Thailand, was being built above the existing rail line. Part of the collapsed crane is ⁠still propped up by the stanchions built to support the new rail link.

In Beijing Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the Chinese government attached great importance to the safety of projects and personnel and was looking into the situation.

"At present, it seems that the relevant section was under construction by ‍a Thai enterprise. The cause of the accident is still under investigation."

The high-speed rail project will connect to China through Laos. The Thai government said last year that more than a third of construction had been completed in the segment connecting Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, and the whole line to Nong Khai at the border with Laos would be ready by ⁠2030. (Reuters)
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Last updated: 2026-01-14 HKT 18:06