A bus carrying primary school children crashed and caught fire just outside Bangkok, Thailand, resulting in a tragic incident. Reports indicate that 16 children and three teachers managed to escape, but 22 pupils and three teachers are still unaccounted for, as confirmed by the country’s transport minister.
Thailand’s prime minister acknowledged that the accident has led to “deaths and injuries,” although the exact number of fatalities has yet to be confirmed. Authorities have released photographs showing the bus completely destroyed by flames, and investigators have faced challenges entering the vehicle due to extreme heat.
Eight of the 19 survivors were hospitalized for treatment, according to health officials. The bus was part of a convoy carrying students and teachers returning from a school field trip in the northern province of Uthai Thani. Transport Minister Suriyahe Juangroongruangkit described the bus as operating on “extremely risky” compressed natural gas, urging measures to potentially ban this fuel type for passenger vehicles to prevent future tragedies.
The prime minister has directed ministers to visit the site of the incident. Expressing her heartfelt condolences, she stated that the government will cover all medical costs and provide compensation to the families of those affected.
Search leader Piyalak Thinkaew reported that many bodies recovered were severely burnt, complicating identification. He noted, “Some of the bodies we found were very, very small,” explaining that the fire erupted at the front of the bus, prompting the children to instinctively flee to the back.
The bus was en route on a highway into Bangkok when a tire burst, causing it to crash into a barrier, as described by a rescue worker. Video footage captured the bus engulfed in flames beneath an overpass, sending thick black smoke into the air.
The driver of the bus fled the scene, but authorities, including Thailand’s Interior Minister, believe he will be located soon. The ages of the children on board are still being confirmed, but the school caters to students aged three to 15 years.
Thailand continues to struggle with one of the highest road safety risks globally, with unsafe vehicles and negligent driving contributing to approximately 20,000 fatalities annually.
