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A tragic accident occurred on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, where a school bus carrying students and teachers caught fire, leaving 25 people feared dead. The incident happened on Tuesday, October 1, and has left the nation in shock. As of now, 16 students have been hospitalized in critical condition. The police have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties, but Thai Home Minister Anutin Charnvirakul mentioned the possibility of 25 deaths during a press conference, without giving further details.
The fire is believed to have started due to a burst tire, according to eyewitnesses present at the scene. Thailand’s Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, stated that the exact number of fatalities remains unclear, but 25 individuals remain unaccounted for after the fire. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging that multiple lives had been lost in this tragic event.
The bus was reportedly carrying 38 students and six teachers. Transport Minister Jungrungreangkit confirmed that 16 students and three teachers managed to escape the flames and were immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. However, the fate of the remaining passengers remains uncertain as authorities continue their investigation.
Early reports suggest that the bus was traveling from the Uthai Thani province when one of its tires blew out while driving on a highway in the northern suburbs of Bangkok. The bus then collided with a roadside barricade, which may have caused the fuel tank to catch fire. Footage shared on local news outlets and social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the bus, with flames visible from various parts of the vehicle.
Rescue workers rushed to the scene and managed to put out the fire, but they had to wait for the bus to cool down before beginning their search for bodies. A rescue worker who spoke with local TV described the chaotic scene and the efforts made to control the fire. Despite their efforts, many passengers could not be saved.
Thailand has one of the poorest road safety records in the world, with a high number of annual fatalities due to unsafe vehicles and reckless driving. This incident adds to the growing concerns about transportation safety in the country.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial findings suggest that the tire burst led to the bus’s collision and eventual ignition. The bus was completely engulfed in flames by the time rescue teams arrived.
Prime Minister Shinawatra, deeply saddened by the accident, extended her sympathies to the grieving families and promised that the government would investigate the incident thoroughly to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As rescue teams continue their search, the country mourns the loss of young lives and hopes for the safe recovery of those who survived.
