At least eight people were killed and 25 others injured after a freight train collided with a public bus in central Bangkok on Saturday, triggering a fire that engulfed the bus and several nearby vehicles.
Emergency services, police and rescue officials said firefighters and rescue crews were dispatched to the scene near an airport rail link station after flames rapidly spread through the area.
Rescue teams worked to pull injured victims from the wreckage while firefighters battled the blaze and attempted to prevent further explosions.
Thai media reported that the crash occurred around 3:40pm local time at a busy railway crossing in Bangkok’s city centre.
Videos shared on social media showed a line of vehicles waiting at the crossing when a cargo train struck an orange public bus at the front of the queue.
The impact dragged several nearby vehicles along the tracks before the bus burst into flames.
Motorcycles and riders were also thrown onto the road following the collision.
Authorities said the fire spread to nearby cars and motorcycles as thick smoke rose above the surrounding streets.
The bus was operating a route between Bangkok’s eastern suburbs and the city centre, while the freight train was reportedly travelling from Chachoengsao province to Bangkok’s Bang Sue district.
Firefighters later brought the blaze under control as rescue crews continued cooling operations, venting gas and searching the wreckage for additional victims.
Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the accident, though local reports suggested the bus may have become trapped on the crossing after safety barriers descended.
The collision has renewed scrutiny of Thailand’s railway safety record following another fatal rail incident earlier this year northeast of Bangkok.
Officials said an investigation into Saturday’s crash is ongoing.