4 Killed, 1 Missing in Thailand Crane Collapse
At least four people were killed, and dozens more injured when a crane collapsed at a construction site in Bangkok early Saturday morning, according to police reports.
Rescue teams are still working to retrieve a fifth victim who remains trapped under the debris. The incident took place on Rama II Road, a major highway connecting Bangkok to southern Thailand, where a tollway was under construction.
“We have retrieved four bodies, but one remains trapped in the debris,” said senior police official Sayam Boonsom, adding that the fifth victim is presumed dead. Among the confirmed fatalities, three were Thai nationals.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing two loud bangs before the crane fell. “Workers were pouring cement when it happened,” one witness told local media.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse, with initial concerns raised about potential safety violations at the site. Construction accidents are unfortunately common in Thailand, where lax enforcement of safety regulations has led to several deadly incidents over the years.
In 2023, a road bridge under construction collapsed, killing two people and injuring a dozen others in Bangkok. Additionally, in March 2024, a crane accident at a factory east of the capital claimed the lives of seven people, and in November 2024, a crane collapse in Samut Sakhon killed three workers and injured ten others.
At this time, it remains unclear whether negligence or structural failure was a factor in Saturday’s incident. Authorities are continuing to investigate the collapse.
