BANGKOK: Twenty Thai nationals have been killed in the conflict between Israel and militant group Hamas, the kingdom’s government said Wednesday, up from the previous toll of 18.
The foreign ministry said the number of Thais held hostage had increased by three to 14, based on unofficial reports from Thai citizens in Israel.
Following the attack on Saturday, around 150 people of varying nationalities, including women and children, have been held by Hamas.
“The death toll of Thai nationals has risen to 20,” ministry spokeswoman Kanchana Patarachoke told reporters in Bangkok, adding that the number of wounded had increased to 13.
The first repatriation flight with wounded Thais was expected to land in the capital on Thursday.
More than 5,000 Thai citizens have requested repatriation to the kingdom, Kanchana said.
There are approximately 30,000 Thais in Israel, mostly working in the agriculture sector, according to Thailand’s labor ministry.
The death toll in Israel has surged above 1,200 while Gaza officials reported 900 people killed so far, and Israel’s army said the bodies of roughly 1,500 militants had been found.
Thai death toll in Israel-Gaza conflict climbs to 20: govt
https://arab.news/b74cr
Thai death toll in Israel-Gaza conflict climbs to 20: govt
Two high-speed trains derail in Spain, broadcaster reports five people killed
- The accident happened near Adamuz, which is near Cordoba
MADRID: Two high-speed trains derailed on Sunday in southern Spain, the rail network operator said, and state-run television channel RTVE said five people had died, citing police sources.
The accident happened near Adamuz, which is near Cordoba. An unknown number of passengers have been injured, RTVE said, citing Civil Guard sources.
“The Iryo 6189 Málaga — (to Madrid) train has derailed from the track at Adamuz, crashing onto the adjacent track. The (Madrid) to Huelva train which was traveling on the adjacent track has also derailed,” Adif, which runs the rail network, said in a social media post.
Adif said the accident happened about ten minutes after the Iryo train left Malaga heading toward Madrid at 6:40 p.m. (1740 GMT).
Iryo is an Italian-run private rail operator. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Adif has suspended all rail services between Madrid and Andalusia.
Andalusia emergency services said on social media that all rail traffic had been halted and emergency services were on their way, including at least nine ambulances and emergency support vehicles.
Salvador Jimenez, a journalist for RTVE who was on board the train from Cordoba to Madrid, shared images showing the rear carriage of the train lying on its side, with evacuated passengers sitting on the side of the carriage.
