A Greek diplomat based in Bangkok was killed Wednesday after she fell under a moving train while visiting Kanchanaburi province, famous for inspiring the classic film “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” police said.
Aristea Liapi, who was in her early 50s and worked as an attaché at the Greek embassy, died during a family trip to the western Thailand famous for its World War II-era bridge spanning the Khwae Yai River and nearby national park.
“We express grief at the accident that resulted in the tragic loss of colleague Aristea Liapi, a member of the staff of the Bangkok Embassy, where she served conscientiously and with ethos during the past two years,” Greek Embassy officials said in a statement.
Local police said the accident occurred as the woman dashed to get off a train as it pulled out of a station where her family had already disembarked. Witnesses said that during the rush her bag strap got caught on the door, causing her to trip and fall under the train’s wheels.
“She came with her family. At the train station all of her family disembarked but she was left behind,” Lieutenant Kasan Para of Sai Yok police station told AFP by telephone.
He added: “She rushed to get off the train but it was already moving and she fell and got pulled underneath. She died instantly at the scene.”
Story: AFP / Photo: Kajonsak Intarapong
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