Overview
- The crash occurred around 9:05–9:10 a.m. near Ban Thanon Kho in Nakhon Ratchasima when a construction crane struck Special Express 21, causing a derailment and fire.
- The Health Ministry’s latest count lists 32 dead and roughly 64–66 injured, including several in critical condition, with three people reported missing.
- Firefighters contained the blaze and rescuers extracted trapped passengers as operations transitioned from rescue to recovery; work paused briefly due to a reported chemical leak.
- Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ordered a formal probe into the cause, and contractor Italian‑Thai Development expressed condolences and pledged compensation.
- Authorities said the crane was part of the Bangkok–Nong Khai high‑speed rail project involving Chinese technical partners, and structural engineers pointed to potential safety deficiencies under review.