Twenty children dead after Thailand school bus fire

A tragic event unfolded in Thailand when a school bus carrying young children caught fire, resulting in the loss of many lives. The bus was returning to Bangkok after a school trip to the northern part of the country. Reports indicate that 20 children and three teachers perished in this devastating incident. Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene as flames engulfed the bus while it was situated under an overpass, with thick clouds of black smoke billowing into the air. Firefighters rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire and assist those who were injured. The bus was powered by compressed natural gas, which has been labeled as 'extremely risky' by Transport Minister Suriyahe Juangroongruangkit. Families of the victims visited the crash site, mourning the loss of their loved ones. Witnesses reported that the bus collided with a concrete barrier after one of its front tires burst, leading to a rapid and intense fire that trapped many passengers inside. Currently, 19 children and three teachers have survived, with several receiving medical care for their injuries. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. The search for the victims was particularly challenging due to the severe burns on the bodies. Forensic teams reported that of the 23 bodies recovered, 11 were male, seven were female, and five could not be identified. The driver of the bus fled the scene, but authorities are optimistic about locating him soon. The ages of the children on board are still unclear, but the school serves students aged between three and 15 years. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issues of unsafe vehicles and poor driving practices in Thailand, where approximately 20,000 fatalities occur each year. Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the accident, including examining tire marks, burn patterns, and reviewing CCTV footage.