At least 8 killed, 35 injured: Train crashes into public bus in Bangkok city centre

A freight train collided with a public bus in Bangkok, Thailand on May 16, sparking a fire and multiple explosions.

Eight people were killed and at least 35 were injured as a result, Thai media reported.

Bus was sitting on railway track

Reports indicated that the incident occurred near the Airport Rail Link station on Asok-Din Daeng Road in Huai Khwang district.

According to clips circulating on social media, an orange public bus was stopped across a railway track while in traffic.

Moments later, a freight train on the track collided with the side of the bus.

This sparked an explosion at the point of impact.

The bus was seen being dragged a distance away until the train came to a stop.

It also struck a number of other cars and motorcycles, which caught fire as well.

Police said they were alerted to the incident at 3:42pm about a fire involving an air-conditioned passenger bus.

Firefighters and rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene, where popping sounds were reportedly heard intermittently.

The blaze was brought under control at about 3:59pm.

Eight bodies were found inside the bus while injured motorists, including at least two in critical condition, were taken to hospital.

Train driver reportedly failed to respond

Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister said the bus appeared to have been stuck at a red light while still on the railway tracks, reported The Nation.

As a result, the railway barrier was unable to be lowered.

Eyewitnesses told The Bangkok Post that they saw the barrier appearing to be stuck in place moments before the crash.

The freight train was also found to have carried containers, making it heavy and unable to brake in time before the collision.

Authorities are reviewing recordings of radio communication between the barrier operator and train driver, following reports that the driver failed to respond after being told that vehicles were still stuck on the tracks.

Investigations are ongoing.