BANGKOK – At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured after a goods train collided with a tour bus at Chachoengsao province, about 50 kilometres east of Bangkok today.
In the incident at about 8 am (local time) at at a railway crossing near Khlong Khwaeng Klan railway station in Chachoengsao province, the train from Laem Chabang in Rayong collided with a bus carrying about 60 passengers travelling from Samut Prakan to a temple in Chachoengsao for a ceremony to mark the end of Buddhist Lent.
Chachoengsao Governor Maitree Traitilanan said the bus was crossing the railway track when the incident took place.
“Initial investigation revealed that despite the train sounding the whistle, the bus crossed the railway track as there was no barricade. The train hit the bus.
“At least 20 people were killed and another 30 injured,” he said in a statement.
Maitree said the police are investigating the cause of the collision.
The injured were sent to nearby hospitals.
Local media reported that bodies were lying by the train tracks while some were trapped inside the bus and people’s belongings were scattered all over.
Relevant authorities and volunteer groups are helping at the scene to retrieve the bodies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha expressed his condolences to family members of the deceased and those injured in the tragic crash.
In the meantime, government spokesperson, Anucha Burapachaisri said the Prime Minister had ordered Chachoengsao governor and relevant authorities to provide immediate assistance to family members of all victims.
— BERNAMA
