Tragic School Bus Fire in Thailand Claims Lives of Students and Teachers
A devastating fire engulfed a school bus in Thailand, leading to the potential loss of up to 25 lives, as reported by authorities on Tuesday. The bus, which was carrying both students and teachers from the Uthai Thani region, was involved in a horrific accident after a tire burst on a highway in a northern suburb of Bangkok.
According to initial reports, there were 44 people on board at the time of the incident. Among them, 16 students and three teachers have been confirmed to have escaped, as stated by Thailand's transport minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The grim reality of the situation unfolded as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra acknowledged that fatalities were inevitable, extending his condolences to the families affected.
Witnesses recount the chaos that ensued when a burst tire caused the vehicle to veer off the highway and crash, leading to the ignition of the bus's fuel tank. Video footage captured the horrifying scene, with flames engulfing the bus while heavy black smoke billowed into the air under a highway overpass.
As rescue workers battled the flames, they faced the challenge of extinguishing the fire completely before being able to search the vehicle for survivors. "I have been informed about the fire on the bus with students from Uthai Thani. There are dead and injured," Prime Minister Shinawatra shared on the social media platform X. He expressed his deep sympathy as a mother for the families who are now mourning.
This tragic event has sparked discussions around road safety in Thailand, which has been highlighted as poor on a global scale due to a combination of unsafe vehicles and inadequate driving standards. As investigations continue, the nation is left to grapple with the aftermath of this heartbreaking incident.
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