Bangkok, Thailand — A tragic incident unfolded in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday when a bus transporting a group of young students and their teachers erupted in flames, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 individuals. The bus, carrying 44 passengers, was en route to educational sites in Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces for a school trip originating from central Uthai Thani province.
According to Trairong Phiwpan, head of the police forensic science office, rescuers discovered 23 bodies inside the charred vehicle, including 20 children and three teachers. The horrifying scene was further grimaced by social media footage showing the bus fully engulfed under an overpass as black smoke billowed into the sky.
The bus journey turned tragic in Pathum Thani province, a northern suburb of Bangkok, reportedly right around noon. A rescuer suggested the fire might have started following a tire explosion, causing the bus to scrape against a road barrier, igniting the devastating blaze.
In the immediate aftermath, emergency services struggled to manage the intense fire. Bodies recovered were primarily found towards the middle and back of the bus, suggesting the fire likely originated at the front. Officials noted the difficulty in identifying the victims due to the extent of the damage.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul informed that while the bus driver survived the incident, he apparently fled the scene immediately afterward and has not been located since. This detail might hinder the ongoing investigation into the exact causes of the disaster.
As the community reels from the tragedy, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences through a social media platform, X, emphasizing the nation’s mourning and promising government support for the victim’s families including medical expenses and financial compensation.
“The depth of loss as a mother compels me to express my deepest condolences to the families enduring unimaginable pain,” commented Shinawatra in her post.
Local hospitals, including patRangsit Hospital near the tragedy’s location, have admitted several survivors. A spokesperson noted that among these, three young girls are receiving care for burns, with one facing particularly severe injuries to her face, mouth, and eye.
Authorities continue to investigate the sequence of events leading up to the tragedy as the community seeks answers and the safety of school trip transportation is called into question. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about vehicle safety regulations and enforcement, especially concerning school buses on long-distance trips.
The immediate focus remains on providing support to the affected families and a thorough examination of safety protocols to prevent similar disasters in the future.