A crane fell onto a train; wreckage was recovered and the area cleared. Identities of 13 victims have been confirmed. A 63-year-old woman came to claim her German husband's body and recounted the moment the crane fell, killing her husband instantly while she suffered minor injuries.
Following the collapse of a crane at the construction site of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway that fell onto the Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani special express train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, which caused passenger cars to catch fire, resulting in 32 deaths and 67 injuries, officials mobilized to recover the train and crane wreckage from the tracks. The State Railway of Thailand ordered the suspension of 14 northeastern train routes, while Italian-Thai Development issued a statement accepting responsibility. The Chinese authorities expressed condolences. The incident occurred on the morning of 14 Jan 2026 GMT+7, as previously reported.
As of the morning of 15 Jan 2026 GMT+7, officials from the State Railway of Thailand brought in two large cranes to cut apart and dismantle the massive crane structure that had collapsed onto the train carriages, aiming to clear the railway area quickly. Meanwhile, the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial command center reported that the rescue team found no additional missing persons at the scene and subsequently declared the search operation concluded.
Authorities handed over 10 bags containing severely burnt human remains to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital for identification alongside other deceased bodies. Regarding site management, the incident command center returned the area to the State Railway of Thailand for track repairs and transferred responsibility to the Sikhiu District Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command Center (DPDM) to oversee coordination and recovery efforts moving forward.
At the morgue of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, the atmosphere was somber, with many still unable to accept the sudden deaths, as train travel is generally considered very safe. Families of the deceased gradually brought official documents to report to authorities and arrange to retrieve bodies for traditional funeral rites. Deputy Governor Wichit Kitwirat, Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Public Health Doctor Vichan Kitken, medical staff, police, and related agencies were present to facilitate the process. Staff from Nakhon Ratchasima Rajanagarindra Psychiatric Hospital provided psychological support for those grieving the loss of loved ones.
Dr. Vichan, Public Health Doctor of Nakhon Ratchasima, revealed that 13 identities have been confirmed. Provided there are no issues with official documents or close relatives, procedures could be completed today. If identification is not possible through other means, DNA testing with relatives may be necessary, which could take about two weeks, especially as 20 bodies were badly burned, requiring considerable time. The process of receiving bodies follows medical death certification, family readiness, and legal procedures. Thailand has handled several identification cases before and assures that the deceased can be returned to their families. Recently, Mr. Prawit Asawinchai, chairman of the Phutthamtham Foundation and Huk 31 Nakhon Ratchasima, instructed Huk31 rescue volunteers in Korat to prepare ambulances and coffins to transport the deceased back to their hometowns free of charge.
Dr. Vichan added that among the 11 red-code patients receiving treatment at Maharaj Hospital, most are in yellow condition, with an 80-90% chance of survival. Two patients are at 50-50 condition. The hospital has expert medical teams and is the best-equipped facility in southern Isan, providing full treatment. One of these two is a 1 year and 10 months old girl suffering from underlying illness and complications from the accident; full care is being given.
Mrs. Taeo, 63, from Nong Khwao Subdistrict, Sikhio District, Surin Province, came to claim the body of her husband, Mr. Friedrich Wilhelm, 78, a German national. She said they had been married for over 40 years and usually returned to Thailand every two years. This time, they had been back only four days, initially planning to go to Koh Samui but changed their mind to return home first. At the time of the accident, she and her husband were seated in carriage 3; her husband sat by the window, and she sat by the aisle. Unfortunately, the crane fell and struck them, killing her husband instantly. She sustained bruises and cuts from glass fragments.