School bus in Thailand going on field trip catches fire, 25 feared dead

A school bus in Thailand taking students and teachers on a field trip caught fire on Tuesday (Oct 1). Citing the government, a report by the news agency AFP said that 44 people- 38 students and six teachers- were onboard the bus. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said there were fatalities and offered condolences to the victims' families.

According to Transport MinisterSuriya Jungrungreangkit, the number of deaths was not clearbut 25 people were unaccounted for after the blaze.

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"Initial reports said there are 44 on board, 38 students and six teachers. As far as we know now, three teachers and 16 students got out.For those still missing, we are not clear yet," Transport MinisterJungrungreangkit said.

A report by the news agency Reuters said that the students and the teachers belonged to theWat Khao Phraya School.

How did the accident happen?

A rescue worker told local media that the school bus was carrying students fromUthai Thani province when a tyre burst on a highway in a northern Bangkok suburb, sending the vehicle crashing into a barrier.

The rescue worker said that the bus was running on compressed gas and the crash ignited its fuel tanks.

Another rescue worker told the news agency that the blaze had been put out but rescue workershave had to wait for the bus to cool down before searching it for bodies.

Video footage from the scene showed flames engulfing the bus as it burntunder an overpass.

'As a mother, I...:PM condoles deaths

In a post on X,Prime MinisterShinawatracondoled the loss of lives in the accident."I have learned of the fire on a bus carrying students from Uthai Thani... resulting in deaths and injuries,"Shinawatrasaid.

ดิฉันทราบถึงเหตุการณ์ไฟไหม้รถบัสจากอุทัยธานี ที่โดยสารนักเรียนเข้ามาทัศนศึกษาในกรุงเทพฯ และเกิดอุบัติเหตุบริเวณถนนวิภาวดีรังสิต ซึ่งทำให้มีผู้เสียชีวิตและผู้บาดเจ็บ

ในฐานะแม่ ดิฉันขอแสดงความเสียใจอย่างสุดซึ้งต่อครอบครัวผู้บาดเจ็บและเสียชีวิต

ในฐานะรัฐบาล… — Ing Shin (@ingshin) October 1, 2024

"As a mother, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the injured and deceased," she added.

The prime minister also said that the government wouldtake care of the medical expenses and provide compensation to the families of the deceased.

Around 20,000 people are killed every year on the kingdom's roads, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) -- more than 50 a day on average.

The economic losses caused by traffic deaths and injuries amounted to around $15.5 billion in 2022 -- more than three percent of GDP -- the WHO says.

(With inputs from agencies)