Category: Asia, News

Thailand School Bus Fire Tragedy: 20 Children Killed in Horrific Crash

Thailand School Bus Fire: 20 Children and 3 Teachers Dead in Tragic Accident

A tragic accident claimed the lives of 20 children and three teachers after a school bus caught fire near Bangkok, Thailand. The bus was returning to the capital after a school trip to the northern part of the country.

The Incident

Footage from the scene showed the bus engulfed in flames, creating thick black smoke that billowed into the sky. The incident occurred under an overpass, where the intense fire quickly consumed the bus. Local media reported that the driver surrendered to the police about 100 kilometers (61 miles) north of Bangkok after fleeing the scene.

According to witnesses, the bus crashed into a concrete barrier on the highway just north of Bangkok following a burst front tire. Unfortunately, the bus caught fire rapidly, and many passengers were unable to escape. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown.

Survivors and Investigation

Nineteen children and three teachers managed to survive the crash, with sixteen being treated in the hospital for their injuries. Transport Minister Suriyahe Juangroongruangkit commented on the incident, noting that the bus used compressed natural gas (CNG), which he described as “extremely risky” for passenger vehicles. He emphasized the need to find a measure to ban such fuel from being used in passenger transport due to the potential dangers.

Piyalak Thinkaew, who led the search efforts, noted the challenges in identifying the bodies due to severe burns. He mentioned that many of the victims were small children, and their instinct was to flee to the back of the bus, where most of the bodies were found.

Forensic police reported that of the 23 bodies recovered, eleven were male, seven were female, and five were unidentifiable. The exact ages of the children remain unclear, but the school catered to students aged between three and 15 years.

Thailand's Road Safety Issues

Thailand has one of the world’s highest rates of road fatalities, with unsafe vehicles and poor driving contributing to roughly 20,000 deaths annually. This tragic incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for improvements in road safety.

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that a thorough investigation is underway. Authorities are examining tire marks, burn traces, and CCTV footage to determine the precise cause of the accident.

Conclusion

The tragic school bus fire near Bangkok has taken a heavy toll on families and the community. With 20 children and three teachers losing their lives, the incident underscores the importance of addressing road safety concerns in Thailand. As the investigation continues, officials must consider stricter safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.