BY OUR FOREIGN STAFF WRITER
THAILAND – A LUXURY rail journey turned into a scene of “pure carnage” yesterday after a massive construction crane toppled over and crushed a passenger train like a tin can.
At least 27 people have been confirmed dead and nearly 80 others are fighting for their lives following the horror smash in northeastern Thailand.
The passenger express was packed with 195 holidaymakers and commuters when the heavy steel machinery came screaming down from a nearby construction site.
Rescue workers described it a “war zone” as they scrambled over twisted metal to reach victims trapped inside the flattened carriages.
Bloody clothes and suitcases were strewn across the tracks as medics worked frantically under floodlights to save those still breathing.
”It was total chaos,” said one witness. “The sound of the crane hitting the roof was like a bomb going off.
Local authorities confirmed that of the 80 injured, many remain in critical condition in local hospitals.
Heavy lifting equipment has been drafted in as rescuers pull apart the wreckage in a desperate race against time to find survivors.
Officials have launched an immediate probe into why the crane collapsed and whether safety standards were ignored at the building site overlooking the busy line.
Thailand has faced international scrutiny over its safety standards in both the transport and construction sectors. Infrastructure projects often run alongside active rail lines and highways.
Northeastern Thailand (Isan) is a major hub for rail travel connecting Bangkok to the Laos border. These trains are frequently used by both locals and foreign backpackers.
This incident follows a string of high-profile construction accidents in Southeast Asia, often blamed on rapid development and lax oversight during monsoon seasons or high-wind events.
