In northeastern Thailand, a construction crane crashed onto a moving train, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and 66 injuries.
Some of the train’s cars were crushed when the crane derailed it, and one of them caught fire. Authorities report that seven individuals are in serious condition, including a one-year-old and an 85-year-old.
At around 9:00 local time (02:00 GMT), the train was carrying about 171 people, according to officials.
The State Railway of Thailand has declared that it is suing the construction business that was in charge of the crane and has opened an inquiry into the occurrence.
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited stated it was sorry and that it would provide the families of those who died or were hurt solace and compensation.
When the tragedy happened, the train was traveling from Bangkok to the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, primarily transporting workers and students who were going to various districts for job and study.
Local store According to The Nation, the event happened when a big piece of concrete was being lifted by the crane and fell onto the train, derailing many carriages.
Train employee Thirasak Wongsoongnern, one survivor, told local media that the crane crashed on him and the other passengers, throwing them into the air.
Maliwan Nakthon, an eyewitness, told BBC Thai that she saw the crane collapse. “There were small pieces, like fragments of concrete, that started falling,” she continued. “The crane slipped down and struck after those fell. After striking with great force, it descended and smashed the train.
“The whole incident took less than one minute,” she said.
“Someone [to] be punished and held accountable” for the tragedy, according to Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is scheduled to visit the area later on Wednesday.
“Accidents like this can only happen due to negligence, skipped steps, deviations from the design, or the use of incorrect materials,” Anutin stated.
As part of a US$5.4 billion (£4 billion) China-backed project to connect Bangkok with neighboring Laos, where a Chinese-built high-speed line already runs to southwest China, the crane was being used to construct an overhead railway.
The Italian-Thai Development Company, formally known as the Bangkok-Nong Khai HSR Development for Regional Connectivity, is identified as the company responsible for the Lam Takhong-Sikhio segment where the incident occurred.
The corporation is being sued by the State Railway of Thailand. According to reports, the initial cost of damages for the train cars alone was about 100 million baht (US$31 million).
The Italian-Thai Development Company, formally known as the Bangkok-Nong Khai HSR Development for Regional Connectivity, is identified as the company responsible for the Lam Takhong-Sikhio stretch where the incident occurred.
The corporation is being sued, according to the State Railway of Thailand. According to reports, the first cost of damages for the train cars alone exceeds 100 million baht (US$31 million).
Source: BBC News
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