Thailand. School bus fire kills over 20 people. The children were returning from a trip

The accident occurred on Tuesday in the suburbs of Bangkok. A group of students and teachers, 44 in total, from Wat Khao Phraya Primary School in Uthai Thani Province, were returning by bus from a trip to the capital of Thailand. At some point, the vehicle caught fire. Its causes have not been officially announced yet.

The exact number of victims is also unknown. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in a conversation with journalists that “about 25 people” were probably killed. In turn, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said that 16 students and three teachers were taken to hospital. Minister Charnvirakul added that the bus driver fled the scene of the accident and has not yet been found.

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Photos and videos from the scene of the accident show thick smoke coming from the vehicle and flames, which were later extinguished. The bus was completely destroyed by fire.

One of the firefighters involved in the rescue operation, Yhutthapon Kewskuen, told reporters that a tire burst while driving, which led to an accident and started a fire. In turn, Piyalak Thinkaew, the leader of the rescue operation, emphasized, quoted by the BBC, that the fire started in the front part of the vehicle. The exact circumstances of the accident are being investigated.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences to the families of the victims. She stressed that the government would cover the medical costs of those who were injured and provide compensation to the relatives of the deceased.

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