Bangkok, Thailand (DT) ā In a tragic incident in Thailand, a school bus caught fire this morning, leading to fears that at least 25 individuals may have lost their lives. The bus was transporting students back from a school trip when the fire erupted.
The bus was carrying 44 passengers from central Uthai Thani province for a school trip in Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit told reporters at the scene.
Videos posted on social media showed the entire bus engulfed in fire with huge plumes of black smoke pouring out as it stood on the side of the road. Bodies were still inside the bus hours after the fire.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said there were fatalities and offered condolences to the victims’ families. In a Facebook post on Tuesday evening, the prime minister also said that the government would cover medical expenses and provide compensation to the families of the deceased.
The students on the bus were reported to be in elementary and junior high school.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said officials could not yet confirm the number of fatalities because they had not finished investigating the scene. He said the driver survived but appeared to have fled and could not yet be found.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire, while local hospitals have been put on high alert to treat any survivors. This devastating event has shocked the community, with officials expressing their condolences to the families affected.
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