At least 12 people were feared dead while dozens sustained injuries after a freight train collided with a passenger bus at a busy railway crossing in the Thai capital on Saturday, authorities confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred early in the afternoon at a crowded downtown intersection frequently used by thousands of motorists and pedestrians daily. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the bus burst into flames moments after impact.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and rescue workers, quickly cordoned off the accident scene while investigators examined the charred remains of the bus. Pedestrians and motorists were diverted from the area as rescue operations continued into the evening.
Bangkok police chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit confirmed the casualty figures while addressing journalists at the scene.
“Eight people have died and 35 others were injured,” Urumporn said, updating earlier reports on the number of casualties. Authorities later indicated that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continued recovery efforts.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show the freight train approaching the level crossing at moderate speed before crashing into the bus, which instantly erupted in flames. Thick smoke billowed into the air as bystanders fled for safety.
“The fire is now out and we are trying to recover the bodies,” Urumporn added.
Witnesses recalled the terrifying moments following the collision. One woman, who was near the crossing with her daughter, told Thai public broadcaster Thai PBS that the flames spread rapidly.
“I didn’t dare look back to see if there were any victims,” she said.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered a full investigation into the accident, according to a statement released by his office.
Thailand has long struggled with deadly transport accidents, often ranking among countries with the world’s most dangerous roads and transport systems. Experts frequently cite speeding, drunk driving, poor infrastructure, and weak enforcement of safety regulations as major contributing factors.
The latest tragedy adds to a growing list of fatal transportation incidents in the country. In January, a crane collapse onto a passenger train in northeastern Thailand killed 32 people and injured dozens more.
In 2020, a freight train collided with a bus carrying worshippers to a religious ceremony, killing 18 people. Three years later, another railway collision involving a pickup truck in eastern Thailand claimed eight lives.
