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Eight killed as freight train collides with bus in Bangkok
A freight train slammed into a public bus near Makkasan station in central Bangkok on Saturday, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens more. The impact sparked a fire that engulfed the bus, authorities confirmed.
Fire and rescue operations underway
The collision triggered a blaze that quickly spread through the bus, trapping passengers inside. Firefighters and emergency crews rushed to the scene, working to extinguish the flames and extract survivors from the wreckage. Several nearby vehicles were also damaged in the crash.
By late afternoon, the fire had been contained, though crews continued to cool the area and vent gas as they searched for additional victims.
Initial findings point to bus stopped on tracks
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat told reporters that early evidence suggested the bus had halted on the railway tracks amid heavy traffic, preventing the crossing barriers from closing properly. The freight train, hauling shipping containers, was unable to brake in time to avoid the collision.
Authorities are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash, though no final conclusions have been reached.
Impact on transport and emergency response
The incident disrupted rail and road traffic in the densely populated area surrounding Makkasan station. Rescue teams, including medical personnel, established temporary triage sites to treat the injured before transporting them to nearby hospitals.
Local officials have urged commuters to avoid the area as cleanup and recovery efforts continue.
