Over 20 people have died in a tragic school bus fire in Thailand

A devastating school bus accident in a Bangkok suburb killed more than 20 children and teachers on Tuesday after the vehicle burst into flames following a puncture. The bus carrying students on a school trip was engulfed in an inferno and many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition.

Fatal accident on a school trip

The accident occurred as the bus, which was carrying 38 students and six teachers from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam school, was en route from Uthai Thani province to a science museum in Bangkok. The front tire of the bus exploded on the highway, causing the vehicle to collide with a barrier and catch fire. According to rescue workers, the intense fire quickly destroyed the bus, leaving most passengers trapped inside.

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“Some of the bodies we rescued were very small, indicating the young age of many of the victims,” said Piyalak Thinkaew, who led the recovery team. He added that the fire started at the front of the bus and passengers were forced to flee to the back, where most of the bodies were found.

Survivors and the hunt for the driver

Of the 44 passengers, 21 managed to escape the burning vehicle and 23 are believed to have been killed. The survivors, including some children with severe burns, were taken to area hospitals for treatment. However, the search for the bus driver, who fled the scene after the accident, continues. National police chief Kitrat Phanphet promised that the driver would be found and held responsible.

Authorities are conducting DNA tests to confirm the identities of the deceased as the fire left many bodies unrecognizable.

Calls for road safety reforms

Thailand has long had a poor road safety record, with over 20,000 fatalities per year. The incident has renewed concerns about the country’s transportation regulations. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the hospital to treat survivors and promised government support, including medical care and compensation for victims’ families. “As a mother, I have compassion for the families of the victims,” she said.

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Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit expressed concerns about the safety of vehicles that use compressed natural gas (CNG) that powers the bus in question. He called for a review of safety measures for public transport.