A tragic bus fire in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday has left over 20 people feared dead, according to officials and rescue teams. The bus, carrying 45 passengers — including six teachers and 39 elementary and junior high school students — was on a school trip from Uthai Thani province when it caught fire in Pathum Thani, a suburb north of Thailand’s capital, acting police commissioner Kitrat Phanphet reported.
The fire broke out around noon and was extinguished within an hour. However, rescue teams were unable to enter the bus for hours due to the extreme heat, fearing the natural gas-fueled vehicle might explode further.
Kitrat stated that police are still working to identify the victims, with three teachers and 20 students still missing. Initial reports suggest that a tire explosion may have caused sparks, igniting the fire that spread throughout the bus. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.
There were conflicting reports about the exact number of passengers on board. Some students may have switched buses during the trip, according to surviving teachers, as three buses were involved in the school outing.
Videos shared on social media showed the bus completely engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke pouring from the side of the road. Piyalak Thinkaew, a rescuer from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, said most bodies were found in the middle and back seats, leading to speculation that the fire started in the front, forcing victims to the rear of the bus.
Authorities are searching for the driver, who allegedly fled the scene. Kitrat indicated that the bus company and responsible individuals could face charges if found culpable. “This incident brings immense sorrow,” he said at a news conference, vowing that the facts would not be distorted and that justice would be served.
Sixteen students were treated for minor injuries and have been sent home, while three others remain hospitalized. Rangsit Hospital initially treated three girls, including one who suffered severe burns to her face, mouth, and eyes. Surgeon Anocha Takham stated that they are working to prevent the 7-year-old girl from losing her vision.
A surviving teacher told police that the fire spread so quickly, that she barely had time to react, leaving her phone behind. Some passengers escaped through the door, while others jumped out of windows.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, expressed her condolences on social media, pledging government support for medical expenses and assistance for the victims’ families. She later visited the injured in the hospital and was visibly emotional when discussing the tragedy at a press conference. Paetongtarn, who took office in August, is a mother of two.
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The accident has sparked criticism regarding the safety of transporting children over long distances on roads notorious for traffic accidents. The World Health Organization estimates that around 20,000 people die and one million are injured annually in road accidents across Thailand.
