In a tragic accident that has left Thailand reeling, a construction crane plummeted onto a moving passenger train, leading to a devastating derailment in the northeastern part of the country. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, claimed the lives of at least 29 individuals and left 64 others injured. Emergency teams are still combing through the wreckage, providing urgent medical assistance to those affected.

This unfortunate event unfolded on a section of an ambitious high-speed rail project designed to eventually connect China with Southeast Asia. The crane, part of the construction efforts for an elevated railway, collapsed as the train was en route from Bangkok to the province of Ubon Ratchathani. The disaster took place in Nakhon Ratchasima province, according to local public relations sources.

Images circulated by Thai media depicted a scene of chaos, with white and then dark smoke billowing over the site. Construction machinery dangled precariously from the concrete support structures, a stark representation of the accident’s impact.

Footage aired by the public broadcaster ThaiPBS showed rescue personnel climbing atop the overturned train carriages, some of which had been violently ripped open. Debris from the crane was strewn across the tracks, while paramedics worked swiftly to administer first aid to the injured passengers.

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.

Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan said 195 people were on board the train. He said he ordered an investigation.

The elevated segment that collapsed is a part of a Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project linking the national capital Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nong Khai, bordering Laos. The two-stage rail project has a total investment cost of more than 520 billion baht ($16.8 billion) and is associated with an ambitious plan to connect China with Southeast Asia under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

In August 2024, a railway tunnel on the planned route, also in Nakhon Ratchasima, collapsed, killing three workers. Days of heavy rainfall were believed to have been a factor in the collapse.