"At least 32 killed after crane falls on train in Thailand", Reuters, 15 January 2026

A train derailed in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday after a construction crane fell on two of its carriages, killing at least 32 people and injuring 66, the regional governor said.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said in a statement there were 195 people aboard the train, adding that he had ordered a thorough investigation.

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 (ITD.BK), which was contracted to build the rail segment, expressed regret for the accident and said it would provide compensation and relief to families of the casualties.

In March last year, a 30-storey building under construction in Bangkok by a joint venture including ITD collapsed, killing 89 people, after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck neighbouring Myanmar.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the Beijing government attached great importance to the safety of projects and personnel in Thailand and was looking into the situation.

"At present, it seems that the relevant section was under construction by a Thai enterprise. The cause of the accident is still under investigation."

The cross-country high-speed rail project will connect to China through Laos. The government said last year that more than a third of construction had been completed in the segment connecting Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, with the whole line to Nong Khai at the border with Laos ready by 2030.