This photo taken with a phone on Jan. 14, 2026 shows the accident site in Sikhio District, Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province. A construction crane used for railway work plummeted at a high-speed rail project site in Sikhio District, Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province, on Wednesday morning, slamming into a passing train, Thai media reported. Photo: Xinhua

The Consulate General in Khon Kaen of Thailand confirmed to the Global Times on Wednesday that no Chinese casualties in the railway accident occurred in northeastern Thailand's Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The accident had reportedly killed at least 22 people.

The incident occurred around 9:45 am when the Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani special express train struck the construction crane blocking its path. Traveling at high speed, the impact caused the train to derail, The Nation Thailand reported.

The current toll stands at 22 dead, with 55 others injured, the report said. Officials are investigating how a construction crane, part of the elevated high-speed railway project, fell onto the tracks.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said he has instructed agencies to conduct a transparent, comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and prevent recurrence, per Xinhua. 

Global Times