Thailand train crash latest: At least 29 dead after crane falls onto train going 120kmph ‘slicing it in half’

Special express train number 21 was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani at 120kmph when it was struck by a falling construction crane at around 9.13am local time on Wednesday.

It had departed from Nong Nam Khun station in Nakhon Ratchasima province and was headed for the next station.

The crane was working at a construction site for a railway project which was a part of a Thai-Chinese project linking the national capital Bangkok to the north-eastern province of Nong Khai, bordering Laos.

Eyewitnesses said the impact of the crane sliced the second carriage in half.

One of the carriages derailed and another caught fire.

The train was carrying an estimated 195 passengers.

Photos published in Thai media showed plumes of smoke above the scene, and construction equipment hanging down from between two concrete support pillars.

Rescue workers stood on top of overturned railways carriages, some of them with gaping holes torn on their sides, video from public broadcaster ThaiPBS showed.

What appeared to be sections of the crane were scattered along the track. Meanwhile, paramedics gave first aid to injured passengers.

Thai media reported the train had three carriages, the last two being the most damaged.

स्रोत: Independent Co Uk