22 Students And 3 Teachers Killed In Tragic Thailand School Bus Fire
They were returning from a field trip.
A school bus accident in Thailand has resulted in the deaths of 22 students and three teachers, according to local authorities
The bus, ferrying students and teachers from Wat Khao Praya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani province to Bangkok, crashed and caught fire on Phahon Yothin Road around 12.30pm yesterday, 1 October.
The tragedy occurred while the bus was en route to an exhibition at the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in Nonthaburi, after an earlier visit to History Park in Ayutthaya.
The bus was the second in a convoy of three.
Local media outlet The Bangkok Post confirmed the fatalities, while the identities of the deceased have yet to be officially released. There were 38 students and six teachers aboard the bus.
The students aboard ranged from kindergarten to Mathayom 3, the Thai equivalent of fourth grade.
Image via Fire & Rescue Thailand (Facebook)
A rescuer at the scene told the South China Morning Post that a tyre burst on the highway, causing the bus to crash into a barrier
The fire that ensued quickly engulfed the bus, leaving extensive damage.
Photos shared by Fire & Rescue Thailand on Facebook showed charred seats and a destroyed exterior.
Firefighters were deployed to assist the survivors, many of whom were in shock.
Image via Fire & Rescue Thailand (Facebook)
Image via Fire & Rescue Thailand (Facebook)
Image via Fire & Rescue Thailand (Facebook)
Image via Fire & Rescue Thailand (Facebook)
Image via Fire & Rescue Thailand (Facebook)
The driver of the bus, Samarn Chankut, initially fled the scene
Acting national police chief Pol Lt Gen Kittirat Phunphet later confirmed that the driver, who had switched off his mobile phone, turned himself in at a police station after fleeing to Ang Thong.
He is now being held at Khu Khot police station in Pathum Thani.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing
However, rescuers at the scene reported that the front left tyre of the bus had blown out, causing the wheel to catch fire. The driver subsequently lost control, and the bus collided with the median barrier.
The flames spread swiftly, engulfing the vehicle.
Meanwhile, a tearful Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and said the government would cover medical costs and provide financial aid to the victims and bereaved families
"I am aware of the bus fire incident from Uthai Thani, which was carrying students on a field trip to Bangkok and resulted in an accident on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, causing fatalities and injuries.
"As a mother, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the injured and deceased.
"The government will cover the medical expenses and provide compensation to the families of the deceased."
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