Crane Collapse Derails Train in Thailand, Kills 22; High-Speed Rail Project Implicated

• A crane collapsed onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand, killing at least 22 people and injuring over 30.
• The accident, which occurred around 9 am local time, caused several train coaches to derail and catch fire.
• The crane was part of a China-backed $5.4-billion high-speed rail project linking Bangkok with Kunming, China, via Laos.
• The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani with 195 passengers on board when the incident happened.
• Authorities have launched an investigation into the collapse, highlighting Thailand's history of construction accidents due to weak safety enforcement.

Why It Matters: A crane collapse on a China-backed rail project in Thailand killed 22, raising safety concerns.