At least 17 passengers killed, 29 others injured when the bus collided with a train in Cha Choeng Sao province near Bangkok.

Early images by rescue workers showed gnarled metal and debris, with bodies lying by the train tracks and people’s belongings scattered [Bangpakong Rescue Foundation via AFP]

Information gathered reviewed that, at least 17 passengers were killed and more than dozen injured on Sunday when a bus collided with a train in Thailand, officials said.

The bus passengers were on their way to a temple in Cha Choeng Sao province – two hours from the capital Bangkok – for a ceremony to mark the end of “Vassa” (known as “Buddhist Lent”), said a district police chief.

“The death toll we have so far is 17,” he said, adding that the accident occurred at approximately 8am (01:00 GMT).