At least 22 killed as construction crane collapses onto moving train in Thailand

The train derailed after the crane collapsed onto one of its carriages at around 9am local time on Wednesday in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province.

The crane, which was working on a medium-speed rail project, struck the moving train car, causing it to to derail and briefly catch fire.

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All passengers were removed from the wrecked train car shortly after 11.45am (04:45 am GMT), with the final death toll expected to rise.

Police confirmed at least 79 passengers had been injured, eight of whom had severe injuries.

The train, which was bound for Ubon Ratchathani province, had 195 passengers and staff members on board, according to its seating plan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Phipat Ratchakitprakarn said the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand has been called to "thoroughly and comprehensively" investigate the cause of the accident.

Mr Ratchakitprakarn added that officials are verifying the identities and closely monitoring the injured.

The crane was being used in work on a rail project in the province some 143 miles northeast of ‍Bangkok.

Eyewitnesses say the crane appeared to strike the second carriage and "sliced it in half".

The incident follows a series of other fatal construction accidents, which are not uncommon in Thailand due in part to poor enforcement of standards and regulations.

In March last year, more than 100 people were killed when a tower block under construction collapsed during an earthquake.

A further 150 people have been killed over the past seven years in numerous accidents on a road improvement project from Bangkok to the south of the country.