BANGKOK — A tragic incident unfolded in the suburbs of Bangkok on Tuesday, as a bus filled with young students and their teachers, on a school excursion, was engulfed in flames, leaving over 20 individuals feared dead, according to officials and rescue workers.
The bus, carrying a total of 45 passengers — six educators and 39 students from elementary and junior high school — was en route from the central province of Uthai Thani when the fire broke out in Pathum Thani province, a northern suburb of Thailand’s capital, stated acting police commissioner Kitrat Phanphet.
Rescuers reported that the fire started around midday and was extinguished within an hour. However, they were unable to board the bus for several hours due to the risk of further explosions caused by the intense heat inside the natural gas-powered vehicle.
Identification of the deceased is still underway, but Phanphet confirmed that three teachers and 20 students are currently unaccounted for.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Phanphet suggested that preliminary investigations point towards a tire explosion that caused sparks, igniting a fire that rapidly spread throughout the bus. Further details were not provided.
Phanphet confirmed that no other vehicles were involved in the incident.
There were conflicting reports regarding the exact number of passengers on the bus. Surviving teachers reported that there were three buses from the school on this trip and that some students had switched buses during the journey.
Social media was flooded with videos showing the bus completely consumed by fire, with thick black smoke billowing out on the side of the road.
Piyalak Thinkaew, a rescuer from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, informed reporters that the majority of the bodies were discovered in the middle and back seats, leading them to believe that the victims had moved towards the back and that the fire had originated at the front of the bus.
Phanphet stated that the police are currently searching for the driver who seems to have fled the scene. He added that charges may be brought against the bus company and any individuals found to be responsible.
“This incident has caused immense sorrow and grief,” he expressed during a news conference.
Phanphet assured that there would be no distortion of facts or attempts to help anyone evade justice. He also mentioned that 16 students were treated for minor injuries and have been discharged, while three others remain hospitalized.
PatRangsit Hospital initially treated three girls, one of whom suffered burns to her face, mouth, and eyes. Surgeon Anocha Takham pledged to do everything possible to prevent the approximately 7-year-old girl from losing her sight.
The girls were subsequently transferred to other hospitals for continued treatment.
Phanphet shared that a surviving teacher told police that the fire spread so rapidly she didn’t even have time to retrieve her mobile phone. Some passengers managed to escape through the door, while others jumped out through the windows.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences on social media platform X, assuring that the government would cover medical expenses and assist the victims’ families. She later visited the injured in the hospital.
When questioned about the fire at the Government House, an emotional Paetongtarn broke down in tears. She assumed office in August and is a mother of two.
The accident has sparked criticism over the safety of children traveling long distances on roads notorious for high rates of traffic accidents and fatalities.
According to the World Health Organization, road accidents in Thailand result in approximately 20,000 deaths and a million injuries annually.
Agree: This is a tragic and devastating incident that highlights the importance of school bus safety. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
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