32 perish in train tragedy

Blame game starts as China link found

- SUPOJ WANCHAROEN PRASIT TANGPRASERT MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Rescue workers at the scene where a construction crane from the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project collapsed onto a Daewoo diesel express train carrying 120 passengers from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani yesterday. The accident, which killed at least 32 train passengers, occurred in Sikhlu district, Nakhon Ratchasima.

(PHOTOS BY PRASIT TANGPRASERT and DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER PREVENTION AND MITIGATION)

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an investigation into a crane collapse that struck an express train in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu district, killing 32 people and injuring 67, vowing those responsible must be held to account. Another three people were missing at press time last night.

The incident involved Special Express Train No. 21 on the Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani route. The train was hit by a crane being used in the construction of a China-backed high-speed rail project that will connect the two countries by rail. It fell onto a passenger carriage. The incident occurred at railway kilometre marker 220/9, near Ban Thanon Khot, Moo 11.