Eight Killed, 15 Injured In Train-Bus Collision Near Bangkok's Makkasan Station

By Wilawan Watcharasakwet

BANGKOK, May 16 (Bernama) -- Eight people were killed and at least 15 others injured after a freight train collided with a public bus near the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan Station in Bangkok on Saturday, according to the Royal Thai Police.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner and Royal Thai Police deputy spokesperson Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsutheer said all the casualties were passengers of the bus. The crash occurred at around 3 pm.

He said preliminary investigations found that the bus had become stranded across the railway crossing after being caught in severe traffic congestion while waiting at a red light.

“The bus was unable to move away in time due to heavy traffic stretching over a long distance before the train collided with it, resulting in the serious accident,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Authorities are investigating the incident while rescue and traffic management operations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said initial reports indicated that prior to the incident, the railway barrier was prevented from being lowered to block the crossing.

He added that the train involved was a container freight train carrying a heavy load, making it impossible for the driver to brake in time before crashing into the bus.

The collision reportedly triggered a fire near the Airport Rail Link’s Makkasan Station, prompting an emergency response from multiple agencies.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had instructed all relevant agencies to urgently assist the injured, support the families of those killed, facilitate medical treatment, and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.

She said the Deputy Transport Minister had travelled to the scene to monitor the situation, while the Ministry of Public Health had mobilised nearby hospitals to prepare emergency rooms, operating theatres, intensive care units (ICU), and burn units, as well as ensure sufficient blood supplies.

-- BERNAMA