At least 32 people were killed and 66 others were injured after a construction crane fell onto and derailed a train, crushing some of its carriages and resulting in one catching fire, in Thailand on Wednesday (January 14), the BBC reports.
An estimated 171 passengers were reported to be onboard the train when the crash occurred at 9:00 a.m. local time, with the injured victims ranging between the ages of 1 and 85, including seven reported to be in critical condition, authorities confirmed. An investigation into the incident was launched by the State Railway of Thailand, which said it was taking legal action against Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, the construction company responsible for the crane.
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited issued a statement expressing regret and confirming that it would provide compensation and relief to the families of the victims killed or injured in the accident. The train was reported to be traveling northeast from Bangkok to the Ubon Ratchathani province and carrying mostly students and workers at the time of the crash.
The crane was reportedly lifting a large concrete section that dropped onto the train at the time of the accident, which caused several coaches to derail, according to the local outlet The Nation. One survivor, Thirasak Wongsoongnern, a train staff member, told local media that passengers were thrown into the air when the crane collided with the moving train.
Maliwan Nakthon, an eyewitness described the exact moment that the crane collapsed to BBC Thai.
“There were small pieces, like fragments of concrete, that started falling,” Nakthon said. “After those fell, the crane slowly slid down and hit. It struck hard, and then it came down and crushed the train.”
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