Thai police have charged a train driver after a freight train collided with a public bus in Bangkok, killing eight people and leaving dozens injured.
Authorities said the crash happened on Saturday afternoon at a busy railway crossing in the Thai capital when the train slammed into a bus trapped in traffic on the tracks.
The impact triggered a fire and left several passengers critically injured.
Police confirmed on Monday that the train driver tested positive for illegal drugs following an initial urine test.
The driver, who was also injured in the collision, was charged alongside a railway crossing guard with negligence causing death and injury.
According to local police chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit, both men denied the allegations.
Authorities said additional drug tests would also be conducted on another driver and a technician who were aboard the train.
Videos circulating on social media showed the freight train approaching the crossing before crashing into the bus, which appeared unable to move because of heavy traffic congestion.
Bangkok police commissioner Siam Boonsom said the crossing often experienced severe traffic buildup, although no previous accident had been recorded there.
Investigators are now reviewing surveillance footage to determine whether the crossing guard acted negligently during the incident.
According to police, footage showed the official waving a red flag — a warning signal indicating the tracks were not clear — yet the train allegedly failed to stop or reduce speed before the collision.
Authorities are also examining the train’s speed and braking distance as part of the ongoing investigation.
Emergency services confirmed that eight people died in the crash, while 30 others were injured.
Officials said 17 victims remained hospitalised as of Sunday evening.
AFP
