School bus bursts into flames outside Bangkok, killing nearly two dozen people

Nearly two dozen students and teachers in Thailand feared dead after a school bus burst into flames during a field trip on Tuesday, officials said.

The bus was traveling from central Uthai Thani province to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces when the fire broke out on the outskirts of the capital Bangkok, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told reporters at the scene.

Images taken at the scene show flames engulfing the burnt bus as clouds of black smoke rose into the air.

“Teachers told us that the fire ignited very quickly,” acting police chief Kittirat Phanphet told reporters. “From witness statements, we believe the explosion was caused by a spark from the tire which ignited the gas bottle used to power the vehicle.”

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He added that some students escaped through windows as the fire burned.

Piyalak Thinkaew, a rescuer with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, told reporters that 23 passengers – three teachers and 20 students – were missing on board the bus and feared dead. It was previously thought that 25 people were dead, but Thinkaew said two more survivors had been found.

Rescuers said 20 students and three teachers died in the fire. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The students on the bus were reportedly in elementary and middle school.

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Juangroongruangkit said 16 students and three teachers were hospitalized and were being treated. Their conditions were unclear.

Officials said the fire is believed to have started after a tire exploded. (REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa)

Phanphet said an investigation was underway.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences in a post on social media platform X and said the government would take care of medical costs and compensate the victims’ families.

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“As a mother, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families,” she wrote.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.