31 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand

A train derailed in northeastern Thailand yesterday after a construction crane fell on two of its carriages, killing at least 31 people and injuring 64, the health ministry said. 

The accident took place in the morning in the Sikhio district in Nakhon Ratchasima province, 230 km (143 miles) northeast of Bangkok, on a train from the capital bound for Ubon Ratchathani province. 

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said in a statement that there were 195 people on board, adding that he had ordered a thorough investigation to be carried out. 

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 Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, the company contracted to construct the segment, issued a statement expressing regret and said it would provide compensation and relief to the families of those who died or were injured by the crane collapse.

Images shared by the ministry showed carriages overturned next to shrubland and firefighters extinguishing a blaze as smoke billowed out.