At least 22 people have been killed and numerous others injured after a construction crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, northeast Thailand, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The incident occurred in the Sikhio district, approximately 230km (143 miles) northeast of Bangkok. The train was travelling from the Thai capital to Ubon Ratchathani province when it was struck by the crane, leading to its derailment and a brief fire. Initial reports had indicated a lower number of fatalities, but officials later confirmed the death toll of 22, with some sources suggesting it could rise further. The number of injured passengers ranges from 55 to 80, with several in critical condition. The crane involved in the accident was part of a major construction project for a high-speed rail network in Thailand. This significant infrastructure initiative, backed by China, aims to connect Bangkok to Kunming in China via Laos by 2028, as part of China's broader Belt and Road initiative. Local residents reported hearing a loud noise followed by explosions, with one witness describing the crane's metal structure slicing through the middle of a carriage. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, using hydraulic cutting tools to extract trapped passengers and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Investigations have been ordered by Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to determine the cause of the accident and implement preventive measures. This event highlights ongoing concerns about industrial and construction site safety in Thailand.