At least eight people were killed and more than 30 injured after a freight train collided with a bus at a rail crossing in Bangkok, triggering a massive fire and chaotic rescue operation near one of the Thai capital’s busiest transport areas.
According to Thai rescue officials and transport authorities, the collision occurred near the airport rail link’s Makkasan Station and involved not only the bus but also several nearby vehicles, including cars and motorcycles.
Emergency responders, firefighters and rescue crews rushed to the scene after flames engulfed the bus and surrounding vehicles following the impact.
Thai Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said preliminary investigations suggest the bus became stuck on the railway tracks at a red traffic light, preventing the crossing barriers from fully closing.
The freight train, which was transporting shipping containers, was reportedly unable to stop in time before crashing into the bus.
Authorities confirmed that all eight fatalities were passengers aboard the bus, while 32 others sustained injuries and were transported to hospitals across Bangkok for treatment.
Videos circulating on social media showed the train striking the bus before dragging multiple nearby vehicles along the tracks as thick smoke and flames filled the area.
A motorcycle taxi driver who witnessed the incident told Reuters that traffic congestion had left vehicles unable to move away from the crossing.
“The bus was stuck at the red light and couldn’t move. Other cars were blocked too,” the witness said, adding that the fire spread almost immediately after the collision.
Rescue teams worked through the wreckage to pull injured victims from damaged vehicles while firefighters battled the blaze using water hoses. Authorities later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control, though crews continued cooling operations and searches at the scene.
Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Thailand has long faced criticism over road and transport safety standards. According to the World Health Organization, the country ranks among the deadliest in the world for road-related accidents, largely due to weak enforcement of safety regulations.
