At least eight people lost their lives and 32 others suffered injuries after a freight train collided with a public bus at a railway crossing in Bangkok on Saturday. The powerful crash triggered a massive fire that quickly engulfed the bus and nearby vehicles close to the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan station. Moreover, emergency crews rushed to the scene as thick smoke and flames spread rapidly through the crowded crossing area.
According to officials, the accident involved several cars and motorcycles that were also caught near the railway crossing at the time of the collision. Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said preliminary investigations suggested the bus became trapped on the tracks because of a red traffic signal. Consequently, the railway crossing barriers could not close properly before the approaching freight train arrived at the intersection.
Read more : Bangkok shines as 2025’s most-visited travel destination –
Authorities stated that the container train was unable to stop in time and struck the stationary bus with tremendous force, dragging several nearby vehicles along the tracks. Officials confirmed that all eight victims who died in the incident were passengers travelling inside the bus during the collision. Furthermore, rescue teams transported dozens of injured individuals to nearby hospitals where medical staff immediately began emergency treatment procedures.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and destruction as the fire erupted moments after the train smashed into the trapped bus at the crossing. A motorcycle taxi driver who witnessed the accident said vehicles were unable to move because traffic congestion had blocked the road ahead. Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media showed the train pushing damaged vehicles across the tracks as flames spread through the wreckage.
Read more : The Thai capital is perfect for a summer vacation
Firefighters and rescue workers continued operations for several hours while battling the blaze, rescuing survivors and searching the damaged vehicles for additional victims. Officials later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control while crews remained on-site to cool affected areas and prevent further explosions. Additionally, investigators launched a formal inquiry to determine the exact circumstances that caused the deadly railway accident.
Thailand continues to face serious road and transport safety challenges despite repeated warnings from international organisations regarding weak enforcement of traffic regulations and safety standards. The World Health Organization has previously ranked Thailand among the countries with the world’s deadliest roads because of frequent accidents involving buses, motorcycles and overloaded transport systems. Consequently, the latest tragedy has once again raised concerns about transportation management and railway crossing safety across the country.