
A devastating school bus fire near Bangkok claimed the lives of 23 passengers, including 20 children and three teachers, in a tragic incident that has shocked Thailand.
At a Glance
- A school bus carrying 44 passengers caught fire in suburban Bangkok, resulting in 23 deaths.
- The victims included 20 children and three teachers.
- The fire likely started after a tire exploded and the vehicle scraped against a road barrier.
- The driver survived but fled the scene and was later arrested
- Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pledged government support for medical expenses and compensation.
Tragic School Trip Ends in Disaster
A routine school trip turned into a nightmare when a bus carrying young students and their teachers caught fire in suburban Bangkok. The incident, which occurred shortly after midday while the bus was traveling through Pathum Thani province, resulted in the deaths of at least 23 out of 40 passengers. The bus was transporting 44 passengers, including six teachers and 39 students, from Uthai Thani province for a school trip to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through Thailand, raising serious concerns about the safety of long-distance travel for children in the country. Videos on social media showed the bus engulfed in flames with black smoke pouring out, a haunting visual representation of the catastrophe that unfolded.
25 feared dead in Thailand school bus fire https://t.co/vxErE6BuCT
— VnExpress (@vietnamenglish) October 1, 2024
Investigation Underway
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Initial reports suggest that the blaze likely started after a tire exploded and the vehicle scraped against a road barrier. The bus was powered by compressed natural gas, which Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit deemed “extremely risky.”
“We have to investigate the trace of driving from the tire marks, the burning trace, and CCTV footage,” according to Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul.
Adding to the tragedy, the driver, who initially tried to extinguish the fire, fled the scene. The driver, identified as Saman Chanput, was later arrested. He reportedly told authorities the bus hit another vehicle and then scraped against a highway barrier, which caused the fire. According to him, he ran away because he panicked.
Grim Aftermath and Identification Challenges
Rescuers accessed the bus hours after the fire was extinguished but were unable to identify the bodies, most of which were found in the middle and back seats. The severity of the burns has made identification extremely difficult, with forensic police identifying 23 bodies: eleven male, seven female, and five unidentifiable. Relatives of victims reportedly headed to Bangkok in order to help identify the children.
“Some of the bodies we found were very, very small,” said Piyalak Thinkaew, leader of the search.
The ages of the children are unclear, but the school serves ages three to 15. This tragic loss of young lives has deeply affected the nation, prompting calls for increased safety measures for student transportation.
Government Response and Support
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has addressed the incident, expressing her condolences and pledging government support for the victims’ families. The government has committed to covering medical expenses and providing compensation to those affected by this tragedy.
“As a mother, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families,” Shinawatra said.
The incident has highlighted Thailand’s poor road safety record, with about 20,000 fatalities annually. As the nation mourns this devastating loss, there are calls for a thorough review of transportation safety measures, particularly for school trips and long-distance travel involving children.
Sources
- Twenty children dead after Thailand school bus fire
- Why are Thailand’s roads so deadly?
- At least 23 confirmed dead in school bus fire in Thailand, police say
- Thai police arrest driver and work to identify victims of the school bus fire that killed 23
- Bodies of the children and teachers who died in a Thai school bus fire return home for funeral