“SERVE AS A LESSON”
Dozens of rescuers walked around the twisted metal carriages, searching with sniffer dogs for people still inside, while others used cranes from the high-speed rail project contractor Italian-Thai Development to remove debris.
The firm expressed condolences and promised to compensate the victims’ families and cover medical expenses for the injured.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, visiting the scene hours after the accident, said it was “clearly the fault of the construction company”.
“We must determine the cause so this incident can serve as a lesson,” he told reporters.
Thailand’s state rail operator said it ordered Italian-Thai to halt construction until an investigation was completed.
Pasinee Klaharn, a 31-year-old homemaker, said she had just started making breakfast when she heard a loud noise.
She ran outside and reached the site of the accident, about 300m from her house.
There, Pasinee said she saw three people on the ground with head wounds and broken limbs.
“My husband climbed down inside a carriage and helped a couple of people before rescue teams arrived.”
Rescuer Nopporn Somjit told AFP his team helped carry around 10 bodies from the train while another group went inside the carriages to pull victims out.
“This is one of the most serious accidents I have worked during my 30 years of experience,” he said.
Source: CNA
