Bangkok: Around 25 were feared dead as a bus, carrying 44 primary school students and teachers, crashed and caught fire on the outskirts of Bangkok at Thani province in Thailand.
According to reports, the accident took place when a tyre burst on a highway while they were returning from a school field trip in the northern province of Uthai Thani. The vehicle crashed into a barrier, which ignited its fuel tanks. Photographs show the bus completely destroyed by the fire.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said that accident resulted in “deaths and injuries”, but could not confirm the exact number of fatalities. “I have learned of the fire on a bus carrying students from Uthai Thani… resulting in deaths and injuries,” Paetongtarn wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“As a mother, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the families of the injured and deceased. The government will be responsible for all the medical costs and the compensation for those killed,” she added.
Transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said that 25 people were unaccounted for after the blaze. “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,” he told reporters.
