Thailand reels from a deadly train collision with a construction crane that has claimed 32 lives and injured nearly 70, drawing a swift wave of solidarity from India. The January 14, 2026, incident in Nakhon Ratchasima has gripped the world, exposing vulnerabilities in rail-adjacent development projects.
From New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs shared on X: ‘Profoundly grieved by the Nakhon Ratchasima train accident on 14 Jan 2026. Deepest sympathies to Thailand’s government and citizens. We mourn with the affected families and hope for the injured’s prompt recovery.’
Eyewitnesses described the 9:05 AM catastrophe in Sikhio district: a passenger train to Ubon Ratchathani chugged past a high-speed rail construction zone when the overhead crane buckled, slamming into carriages. Derailments followed, compounded by outbreaks of fire that sowed terror among passengers.
Viral clips reveal the scale of response—firefighters dousing flames, rescuers slicing through debris to free the entrapped, and emergency squads airlifting the critically hurt. Thailand’s authorities confirmed immediate mobilization, noting dozens initially confined within the mangled train located 230 km from Bangkok.
This calamity fuels debates on safety during ambitious infrastructure pushes. India’s condolence message reinforces strong ties, as international eyes turn to the inquiry. Amid ongoing salvages, stories of survival emerge, blending heartbreak with hope in Thailand’s path to recovery.