LATEST UPDATE: 02 October at 1:17 PM
A school bus from Uthai Thani carrying 44 people – 38 students and six teachers – traveling to Ayutthaya caught fire on its way in Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand on 1 October, killing 23, injuring 5 Thai media reported.
A recent report detailed an incident in which a bus, approaching a curved road near the National Monument, collided with the side of a Mercedes. The impact caused the bus to lose control and scrape along the central barrier for over 600 meters before coming to a stop, at which point a fire broke out at the front of the vehicle.
The fire started with a loud explosion at the rear of the bus and quickly spread throughout the interior. The driver, acting swiftly, exited the bus and opened the front door, allowing some of the children to escape. However, others tried to flee through the rear door.
Emergency services arrived on the scene and rescued 19 people from the burning bus, transporting them to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Hours after the incident, the bus driver, a resident of Ang Thong province, surrendered to police and is now under investigation.
PM Paetongtarn then instructed Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to oversee the incident. The government has committed to covering hospital treatment costs and providing support for the affected families.
Local officials are coordinating with the school and law enforcement to ensure that all affected students receive the necessary care.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on providing assistance to the victims and their families while addressing the safety concerns surrounding transportation for school activities.
