Thailand: A crane at a China-backed high-speed rail project in Thailand collapsed onto a passenger train, causing it to derail on Wednesday, killing at least 22 people and injuring 30, local authorities said.

According to Qatar News Agency, a police official noted that the death toll is expected to rise due to the high number of critical injuries. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn stated that 195 people were on board the train, and authorities are working to identify the deceased.

The incident occurred when the train was passing by a work site where the crane collapsed and struck the train. This impact led to the train derailing and briefly catching fire, causing significant casualties.

Emergency responders and disaster response units were promptly dispatched to the scene to conduct rescue and relief operations. Amidst concerns over the increasing number of fatalities, Ratchakitprakarn has called for a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident.

The crane was part of a high-speed rail project valued at approximately $5.4 billion, underscoring the scale and impact of the incident.