Two fatal construction crane collapses have occurred in Thailand within two days.
In the first accident, on Wednesday 14 January, a crane working on a high-speed railway bridge collapsed on to a moving train in Nakhon Ratchasima province in the north east of country. In the subsequent derailment and fire, more than 30 passengers were killed and almost 70 were injured.
The second collapse occurred at Samut Sakhon just west of the capital Bangkok on Thursday morning (15 January). A construction crane on the Rama II Road elevated expressway collapsed, killing two people and trapping two vehicles. The Rama II Road project has been haunted by accidents and fatalities.
The scene following the fatal crane collapse in north east Thailand. Credit: State Railway of Thailand
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) says that work has halted at the Nakhon Ratchasima site, which is being cleared ahead of repair work and then SRT will inspect launchers in all construction projects. It will also install improved monitoring and surveillance systems to enhance safety and build public confidence.
The Thai Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered a thorough investigation of the Nakhon Ratchasima incident. SRT has confirmed that all work should halt when a train passes through a construction site and that this is monitored.
