In a tragic turn of events in Ban Thanon Khot, Thailand, a construction crane collapsed onto a moving train, resulting in the deaths of at least 32 individuals and leaving 66 others injured. The train, a vital link for residents traveling to major cities, was suddenly the site of a disaster that took the local community by shock.
Local resident Pitchaya Promenade described the harrowing moment of the incident, stating, The noise was abnormally loud. A huge, crashing sound. I saw a blue crane sliding before it flipped over. The construction crane was part of a larger infrastructural project aimed at improving transport links as part of a US$5.4 billion investment.
As rescuers arrived on the scene, they found themselves contending with a mangled wreckage. Eyewitness accounts depict a horrifying picture of the aftermath, with Pitchaya noting that the damage looked like a spoon scooping into a slice of cake. Emergency responders struggled to retrieve passengers, and the situation worsened when one train carriage caught fire.
Amidst the chaos, locals rushed to help. Restaurant owner Penporn Pumjantuek recounted the screams for help, describing how oil from the train spilled everywhere. I'm still scared when I think about it... It was terrifying, she stated. Another witness, Suphann Imchantrik, desperately aided a one-year-old child who was clinging to life amid the carnage.
This accident has stirred up serious concerns regarding construction safety standards in Thailand, especially following previous incidents linked to the same company responsible for the crane's operations. With authorities calling for an investigation, the incident serves as a painful reminder of the risks associated with inadequate safety precautions in construction projects.
