At least 32 people have been killed and 66 others injured after a construction crane fell onto a moving train in north-eastern Thailand.
The crane derailed the train and crushed some of its carriages, one of which caught fire. A one-year-old and an 85-year-old are among those injured, with seven people in critical condition, according to authorities.
Officials say some 171 passengers had been onboard the train when the accident occurred at around 09:00 local time (02:00 GMT).
The State Railway of Thailand has launched an investigation into the incident and announced that it is taking legal action against the construction company responsible for the crane.
Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited said it expressed regret and it would provide compensation and relief to the families of those who died or were injured.
The train had been travelling from Bangkok to the north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province when the accident occurred, carrying mostly students and workers travelling for school and work in other districts.
Local outlet The Nation reported that the incident occurred while the crane was lifting a large concrete section which dropped onto the train, causing four coaches to derail.
One survivor, train staff member Thirasak Wongsoongnern, told local media that he and the other passengers were thrown into the air after the crane fell on them.
An eyewitness, Maliwan Nakthon, described the moment the crane collapsed, stating, There were small pieces, like fragments of concrete, that started falling. After those fell, the crane slowly slid down and hit. It struck hard, and then it came down and crushed the train. The whole incident took less than one minute, she added.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to visit the scene, urging for accountability. Accidents like this can only happen due to negligence, skipped steps, deviations from the design, or the use of incorrect materials, he said.
The crane was part of a $5.4 billion China-backed project to enhance rail connectivity from Bangkok to Laos. The Italian-Thai Development Company is responsible for the segment where the tragedy occurred.
The State Railway of Thailand is suing the company, with damages estimated at over 100 million baht (about $3.1 billion) for train carriages alone.
The Chinese embassy in Thailand confirmed that no Chinese construction companies or workers were involved in the collapse. With a history of construction accidents in Thailand tied to weak safety enforcement, officials are under pressure to address these persistent issues.
