At least 22 people were killed in Thailand on Wednesday after a crane collapsed on a high-speed rail line under construction and fell onto a passenger train.
A crane collapse in Sikhi, Nakhon Ratchasima province, caused a passenger train to derail, killing at least 22 people, AFP reported, citing authorities. Many are also afraid of being trapped in wagons.
The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, Reuters reported, adding that the train caught fire after the derailment.
Police further said that more than 30 people were injured, while authorities added that the incident occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time.
The train had 195 people on board and authorities were rushing to identify the deceased, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn was quoted as saying by AFP.
The news agency also said the crane was being used in a $5.4 billion Chinese-backed high-speed rail network project that seeks to link Thailand’s Bangkok to China’s Kunming via Laos by 2028. The project is part of China’s vast Belt and Road initiative.
Videos show ongoing rescue operations
Videos shared on social media showed people searching for survivors as the sirens of emergency vehicles could be heard.
The Mint could not independently verify the videos.
Search and rescue operations are underway to find the passengers trapped inside the train.
Further details are awaited.
(This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.)
