Bangkok, Thailand — A tragic fire engulfed a bus carrying 44 children and teachers from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam school during a school trip in a northern Bangkok suburb on Tuesday, prompting a nationwide mourning as up to 25 individuals are feared dead. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has confirmed the casualties and extended her deepest condolences to the families affected by this harrowing incident.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit reported the dire uncertainty surrounding the tragedy, noting that while 19 survivors were accounted for, the remainder are still listed as missing. The day turned disastrous around midday when a tire on the vehicle reportedly burst, causing the bus to collide with a barrier and ignite.
Witnesses and first responders depicted a devastating scene with the bus ablaze beneath an overpass, dense smoke billowing into the air, signaling a dire emergency that unfolded rapidly. Rescue operations commenced immediately with screens set up around the site to facilitate recovery efforts and maintain dignity for the victims.
Piyalak Thinkaew, who led the disaster response team, shared the heart-wrenching details of the recovery. “Many of the victims, unfortunately, were very young children trapped at the back of the bus as they instinctively moved away from the fire at the front,” he stated, underscoring the tragic circumstances.
Identification of the victims has been challenging due to the severity of the fire, with many of the bodies being badly charred. Medical personnel at the scene recounted the intense efforts to treat survivors, many of whom suffered severe burns.
The reaction to this catastrophe extended beyond official channels, touching the hearts of bystanders and onlookers. Meechai Sa-ard, a local motorbike taxi driver who was near the occurrence, expressed his despair and hope amidst the chaos. “The smoke was overwhelming. It’s heartbreaking to think of those children. We all hoped for a miracle that the rain would help extinguish the fire and save lives,” he shared.
Thailand is no stranger to road safety issues, consistently recording high numbers of traffic-related deaths annually. According to the World Health Organization, the country’s road safety statistics are among the worst globally, with about 20,000 fatalities each year and traffic incidents making up more than 3 percent of Thailand’s GDP in economic losses.
As the community grieves, the tragedy has sparked a renewed call for stringent safety measures and regulations to prevent such incidents. The government faces mounting pressure to enforce better safety standards and oversight for school transportation and general road usage to avert future tragedies.
Officials continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire, as discussions about road safety and vehicle maintenance take precedence in national discourse. This accident not only underscores a tragic day but also serves as a grim reminder of the crucial need for enhanced safety protocols on Thailand’s roads.