Mangled carriages, hanging debris as Thailand crane collapse death toll climbs to 25

At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand, prompting a full investigation.

Reuters

14 January 2026 at 12:05:11

Wreckage at the site where a train was derailed when a construction crane collapsed and fell onto its carriages, causing several casualties, in Sikhio district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, January 14, 2026.

Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters

Mangled train carriages were scattered across railway tracks in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday (January 14) after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train, killing at least 25 people and injuring about 80, police said.

The crash, which also injured some 80 people, happened in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province, about 230 km (143 miles) northeast of Bangkok, on a train travelling from the capital to Ubon Ratchathani.

Police Colonel Thatchapon Chinnawong told Reuters that the search for more bodies was ongoing. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said 195 people were on board, adding that he had ordered a full investigation into the accident. 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.

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.

Production: Zaw Naing Oo, Feline Lim/Reuters