Residents in Thailand's Ban Thanon Khot are accustomed to the sound of trains passing through their town, but a recent tragedy has left the community reeling. On Wednesday, a construction crane collapsed onto a moving train, resulting in a catastrophic accident that claimed at least 32 lives and injured 66 others, mostly students and local workers who were commuting.
Witness Pitchaya Promenade recalled, The noise was abnormally loud. A huge, crashing sound. I saw a blue crane sliding... it flipped over without warning. Eyewitness reports confirm that the train, carrying many commuters, became a scene of horror when the construction crane fell upon it, crushing several carriages and causing a fire that complicated rescue efforts.
Rescuers remained on the scene for hours, extracting bodies and assisting the wounded from the wreckage of the mangled train. One local resident described the aftermath as looking like a spoon scooping into a slice of cake, illustrating the devastation of the train's crushed compartments.
Among the injured were a one-year-old child and elderly passengers, with many still in critical condition. Local authorities have vowed to investigate the incident thoroughly, calling the Italian-Thai Development Company—responsible for the construction project—into account. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul urged for prompt action and clarity regarding safety standards in construction, as similar tragedies have plagued the region in the past, highlighting a pressing need for regulatory reforms.
The crane was involved in a project to enhance Thailand's rail connections as part of a significant infrastructure investment linked to China. However, safety protocols related to construction projects remain a significant concern, prompting discussions on better enforcement and legislative action to prevent future tragedies like this one.
