A tragic accident unfolded on Wednesday morning, January 14, 2026, in Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima province, approximately 230km northeast of Bangkok. A construction crane, reportedly working on a China-backed high-speed rail project, collapsed onto a passenger train, leading to its derailment and a subsequent fire. Initial reports indicated fewer casualties, with some early figures suggesting 4, then 12 fatalities. However, multiple credible news outlets, including Al Jazeera, CNA, RNZ News, and The Straits Times, have since confirmed that at least 22 people were killed in the devastating incident. The train, carrying 195 passengers, was en route from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province when the crane struck its carriages. In addition to the fatalities, over 30 people were injured, with some reports citing as many as 80 or more, including several severely hurt. Rescue operations are currently underway at the accident site in the Sikhio district, where local police and emergency services are responding. The fire that ensued after the derailment has been extinguished. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety regulations at industrial and construction sites in Thailand, where such accidents have been a recurring issue.