Identification of 18 victims from the deadly crane collapse onto the train has now been confirmed, but the bodies have not yet been returned to their families. Meanwhile, a member of the Pattani FC football fan club shared the heartbreaking moment of trying to call senior friends but getting no answer.
At 17:10, reporters described the atmosphere at the Chalerm Phrakiat Building of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Emergency and Accident Center, Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, the designated area for relatives of those who died in the crane collapse on the train in the Khon Road community, Sikhiu District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Many family members were registering to claim bodies and verify identities, assisted by officials from various agencies including the Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Labor to facilitate the process.
In the afternoon, Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, visited the Chalerm Phrakiat Building at Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital to offer condolences and support to relatives waiting to receive the bodies.
Police Lieutenant General Rutthaphon briefly confirmed that compensation payments would be made according to entitlements: 200,000 baht for fatalities and 50,000 baht for injuries, along with opportunity costs and medical expenses. However, when asked about the investigation's progress, he declined to comment, explaining that police are still gathering evidence and investigating the cause to pursue legal action against those responsible.
Regarding the retrieval of bodies by Pattani FC football fans for religious rites in their hometown, our team spoke with 24-year-old Nihariss Nigo, a junior friend of the two deceased victims, Nurding Mama and Zakariya Muso, who died in the crane collapse. He had come to Maharaj Hospital to await the return of the bodies to Yala Province.
Nihariss said that he was originally supposed to travel to Buriram Province to support the Pattani FC team together, but because he flew in from the south, he missed the 06:10 train. The train was full, so he had to take the 07:10 train instead.
What hurt the most, Nihariss said, was that he followed the train carrying his seniors by less than an hour. Upon arriving near the accident site, he heard an announcement saying, “An accident occurred ahead; travel cannot continue.” He tried calling his senior friends on the preceding train multiple times without success. Only after seeing the news did he learn it was the train involved in the accident. He expressed deep sorrow because those seniors were like beloved elder brothers to him.
Most recently, at 17:20, officials coordinated with multiple rescue agencies to prepare over 20 vehicles to transport the bodies back to their hometowns. The first body will be sent to a family in Nonthaburi Province and is expected to be the only one that can be returned to family soon.
Further updates will be reported as they become available.