Italian-Thai Development is linked to two fatal crane collapses in Thailand, killing 34 people and prompting a halt to its construction projects
BANGKOK: A major Thai construction firm is linked to two fatal crane collapses in as many days, a government minister confirmed.
Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn identified Italian-Thai Development as the company involved in both incidents.
The first collapse on Wednesday killed 32 people when a crane fell onto a passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
A second crane collapsed on Thursday at a highway construction site near Bangkok, killing two people.
“Yes, it is Italian-Thai. I still do not understand what happened,” Phiphat told local media.
“We have to find out the facts, whether it was an accident or something else,” he added.
The company was contracted to build a section of a China-backed high-speed rail project where Wednesday’s disaster occurred.
The nation’s rail operator has ordered Italian-Thai to halt construction until an investigation is completed.
The second incident happened at the under-construction Rama II Expressway in Samut Sakhon province.
Local police chief Sitthiporn Kasi confirmed two fatalities at the scene.
Dashcam footage verified by AFP showed the massive crane falling, unleashing clouds of dust and rubble.
In the footage, a person is heard saying, “I almost died… Please pull over first.”
Another replies, “That’s okay now. It’s not falling further. It’s a crane collapse again in front of me.”
The Rama II Expressway project has been plagued by delays and fatalities, earning it the nickname “Death Road.”
A concrete beam collapse there in March killed several people.
Other deadly accidents on the project occurred in November 2024, May 2023, and January 2024.
The health ministry said 32 people were confirmed dead from Wednesday’s train crash.
Three people remain missing and 64 were hospitalised, with seven in serious condition.
Italian-Thai expressed condolences and promised to compensate victims’ families and cover medical expenses.
Phiphat said all parties involved would be held accountable, including a Chinese consultancy company.
An Italian-Thai worker said the crane operator in Wednesday’s incident was Thai and had died.
She said around 10 people were working at the time of the accident.
