At least eight people were killed and 32 others were injured in a collision between a freight train and a bus in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday, officials said.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulakiat told reporters that initial reports showed that the public bus had been stopped at a red light on the railway tracks before the accident, which was prevented by crossing barriers from being closed.
He said the heavy goods train was unable to stop in time to avoid hitting the bus.
“All eight deceased were on the bus,” Siripong said, adding that it was still unclear how many people were on board.
What else do we know about the train-bus collision in Bangkok city?
The accident occurred near Makkasan station of the Airport Rail Link in Ratchathewee district of Bangkok on Saturday afternoon.
Videos shared on social media showed the train hitting the orange bus, which burst into flames within minutes as it pulled several other nearby cars and motorcycles onto the tracks.
“The bus was stuck at a red light, so it couldn’t move. Cars were also blocked and couldn’t move,” motorcycle taxi driver Wanthong Kokpho, who witnessed the accident, told Reuters.
“The fire broke out immediately… If it had been a normal working day, the damage would have been much greater,” he said.
Fatal road accidents are common in Thailand
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered an investigation into the incident, according to a statement from his office.
Thailand’s roads regularly top lists of the world’s deadliest roads, with speeding, drunk driving and weak law enforcement of safety standards all contributing factors.
In January, a construction crane fell on a passenger train in Thailand’s north-east, killing 32 people and injuring dozens.
Edited by: Rana Taha