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A train in the Thai province of Nakhon Ratchasima has been derailed after it was struck by a crane (Image: Nakhon Ratchasima local goverment)
A train has derailed in Thailand’s northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima after a crane collapsed onto the tracks in front of the moving passenger train on Wednesday morning.
The crane, part of a nearby construction site for a high-speed rail project, fell across the tracks just as the train, travelling from Ubon Ratchathani, approached. The train collided with the crane, causing several carriages to derail and catch fire, as per local reports.
22 people are dead and a further 80 are understood to be injured, reports the Phuket Express.
More to come.
Train sliced in half, local man claims
According the the BBC, local man Mitr Intrpanya described the moment the train and crane collided. The 54-year-old said he heard a noise from above, before two explosions.
He raced to the scene, and found "the crane sitting on a passenger train with three carriages."
He added: "The metal from the crane appeared to strike the middle of the second carriage, slicing it in half."
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Thai deputy PM calls for answers after tragic train-crane fatal
Thailand's deputy prime minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered an investigation into the cause of the crane collapse.
Ratchakitprakarn has ordered both the director-general of the Department of Rail Transport Pichet Kunadhamraks and the acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand Anan Phonimdang to work in conjunction on the investigation to understand how the tragedy occurred on Wednesday morning, when a crane fell onto the trains and carriages of the Special Express 21.
The train was travelling between Krungthep Aphiwat (Bangkok's central train station) and Ubon Ratchathani at the time.
Death toll, trapped passengers cut free
A total of 22 people are dead and a further 79 people sustained injuries. Eight of those wounded have suffered severe injuries, authorities have confirmed in the wake of the tragic crash.
195 people are understood to have been on the train when the crash and derailment occurred, as per the train's seating plan, the State Railway of Thailand has said.
However, the actual number may vary. Local news outlet the Phuket Express reports a similar passenger number, and adds that several people were trapped in the train wreckage, but have since been cut free by rescuers.
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