Workers killed as crane collapses on busy motorway in Thailand
- A gantry crane at a construction site collapsed, resulting in fatalities and injuries to workers.
- Local authorities are working to clear the accident site and restore traffic on the busy Rama II Road.
- The incident raises concerns over construction safety in an area known for tragic accidents.
In Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, a tragic incident occurred early in the morning on November 29, 2024, when a gantry crane collapsed at a construction site on the elevated Rama II Road. The crane was engaged in the installation of precast concrete segments when it suddenly buckled, resulting in the death of at least four workers and injuries to ten others. Reports indicated that at the time of the accident, 39 workers were on site, with 25 able to escape unharmed. The local authorities and the Samut Sakhon governor Naris Niramaiwong promptly responded, with plans to clear the site to restore traffic, which had faced serious congestion due to the accident. This area is known for its ongoing construction work and a troubling history of accidents, which has raised concerns about worker safety and operational oversight. Previous incidents at the same location include a concrete beam falling in July 2022, which resulted in fatalities and injuries, highlighting a pattern of injury and death related to construction mishaps in this precarious zone. The crane's collapse served as a grim reminder of the risks construction workers face, particularly in high-pressure environments where safety may be compromised, prompting calls for greater scrutiny and improvements in site safety protocols.