Key Takeaways:
– More than 20 people feared dead in a school bus fire in suburban Bangkok, Thailand.
– Bus carried 44 passengers including teachers and students on a school trip.
– The bus driver survived the incident but is currently missing.
– Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured complete medical expenses and compensation for victims’ families.
Investigations Underway Over Tragic School Bus Fire
A school bus carrying elementary and junior high students, along with their teachers, caught fire in suburban Bangkok, leading to a tragic event that has left over 20 individuals feared dead. The bus, which was on its journey from central Uthai Thani province towards a school trip in Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces, had a total of 44 passengers onboard.
Exploding Tire Suspected of Starting the Fire
The horrifying incident took place under an overpass where the school bus from Wat Khao Phraya school came to a halt. The entire vehicle was swiftly engulfed in flames, generating large plumes of black smoke, as captured in videos that surfaced on social media. Based on reports from rescuers present at the scene, it is suspected that a tire explosion followed by the bus scraping against a road barrier might have initiated the fire.
Inaccessibility Hindered Rescue Efforts
Rescue efforts were significantly hampered due to the blazing fire. Rescuers and officials managed to access the bus only hours after the fire had been extinguished. A majority of the bodies discovered were positioned in the middle and back seats of the bus, leading investigators to deduce that the fire possibly started at the front of the vehicle.
Survivors and Casualties
The bus driver survived the tragedy but seems to have fled the scene and remains missing. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that the number of casualties could not be confirmed immediately due to ongoing investigations. Earlier, there were reports of 25 feared dead, but the numbers reduced after two survivors were found. Currently, 23 individuals, including three teachers and twenty students, are still unaccounted for, as per Piyalak Thinkaew from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation.
Government Pledges Support and Compensation
In the wake of this devastating incident, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her heartfelt condolences on social media platform X. She assured that the government would shoulder the medical expenses and provide compensation to the victims’ families. As a mother herself, the Prime Minister resonated with the pain and sorrow that the families of the victims must be undergoing.
Medical Assistance for Survivors
Three young survivors of the tragic incident, all girls, have been admitted to the nearby patRangsit Hospital. One of these girls has sustained serious burns to her face, mouth, and eye, and is receiving treatment. Further updates on the patients’ conditions are yet to be disclosed.
Tragic Event Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for strict safety measures in public transportation, especially those catering to school children. While investigations in this particular case are ongoing, the incident calls for immediate action and necessary reforms to avert future recurrences.
The identities and numbers of the victims remain unconfirmed due to the intensity of the fire and the ongoing investigations. Further updates are awaited as the Thai officials and rescuers continue their work to bring closure to this tragic event.