At least 22 killed as crane collapses onto train in Thailand

At least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured after a construction crane fell on a passenger train in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday.

The accident took place in Nakhon Ratchasima province, north of the capital Bangkok in the morning, officials said.

The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers are still removing bodies from the wrecked train car, according to global media reports.

The crane, which was being used to construct an elevated high-speed railway, fell onto the moving train as it was travelling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province, causing the train to derail and catch fire, according to Nakhon Ratchasima's Public Relations Department.

The department said in a Facebook post that the fire was under control and that rescuers were searching for people trapped inside the train.

Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan said that there were 195 people on board the train. He said he has ordered an investigation into the accident.