THE DEATH toll from a huge crane at the construction of a high-speed rail bridge falling on a Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani train just as it was passing Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) on Wednesday (Jan. 14) has been reduced to 30 from 32 amid ongoing forensic procedures as rescuers had yesterday recovered both intact and incomplete bodies while dozens have been injured in this horrific accident, Thai Rath newspaper said today (Jan. 16).
Korat Provincial Public Health Department said rescuers had initially found 32 intact and incomplete bodies along with a number of body parts within one smashed carriage and one other derailed while the first one was unaffected but some passengers there too got injured.
Forensic examination has now identified 30 deceased individuals but the remaining partially incomplete bodies and body parts have not yet been identified and further advanced forensic procedures may identify more bodies.
The next step is to conduct DNA testing between the deceased and their relatives to confirm their identities. This process is expected to take approximately two weeks before a definitive death toll can be determined.
So far seven bodies have been claimed by relatives, 22 are awaiting identification while one body has not been claimed by anyone.
Meanwhile Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) clarified to the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) that the two construction contracts where huge cranes fell and killed and injured people remain in effect with the company still fulfilling its obligations.
A second big crane fell on Rama II road at 9.15 a.m. yesterday (Jan. 15) crushing two pickup trucks and killing the two drivers.
ITD’s clarification followed Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul having last evening ordered the cancellation of this listed company’s two contracts where two huge cranes fell two days in a row.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – Rescuers working at the smashed and derailed train. Photos – Thai Rath
Also read:
People’s will be in opposition bloc if Bhumjaithai comes out as largest elected one: Thanathorn
PM orders action against ITD after two fatal crane accidents
BMA unveils cell broadcast for real-time PM2.5 alerts
