THE DEATH toll in the horrific accident at Nakhon Ratchasima province (Korat) this morning (Jan. 14) has risen to 28 with 79 injured but operation to rescue passengers of the train running from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchthani province that was hit by a crane falling from a bridge being built for high-speed rail project has been temporarily suspended because the large machine has started shaking and could endanger the rescue teams, Naewna newspaper said.
Nakhon Ratchasima Governor Mr. Anuphong Suksomnit said rescue teams have temporarily suspended the search for victims inside the train carriages due to the damaged crane shaking, raising concerns about another accident occurring. Furthermore, the company responsible for the project has been instructed to bring in experts to repair the damaged crane, ensuring its stability for the safety of the rescue personnel before resuming the search for victims and injured individuals.
The second carriage of the air-conditioned train, number 21, carrying 208 passengers from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani, was hit by the falling crane as it was passing Nong Nam Khun and Sikhio stations in Korat’s Sikhio district. In being smashed, this carriage also derailed the third one and while the first one was unharmed passengers in all three of them have been injured.
Most recently, Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Phromtha, commander of the Nakhon Ratchasima provincial police, said Sikhio police station has been instructed to expedite removing the bodies of the deceased and helping the injured. A command centre has been established to assist relatives in obtaining information about the injured and deceased. Most of the deceased have been removed from the train carriages, and officials are currently conducting a thorough investigation.
Forensic units have been dispatched to the scene to examine the evidence. At this time, the cause of the accident cannot be definitively determined with the focus still on assisting the injured, identifying the deceased, and collecting evidence. Investigators, traffic police, and crime prevention and suppression officers are present to manage the situation.
Rescue workers later said that the bodies of 19 deceased passengers have been recovered, but nine others remain trapped inside the train carriages, taking the death toll to 28.
CAPTION:
Scenes of the deadly accident in Korat. Photos – Naewna
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