Thai school bus inferno leaves dozens feared dead

Erbil, Kurdistan24 – A horrific accident unfolded on Tuesday, as a school bus carrying young children and their teachers burst into flames on a highway in northern Bangkok, Thailand.

The tragic incident has left at least 20 people feared dead, with rescue efforts ongoing to recover the bodies from the charred wreckage.

The bus, carrying 38 children and six teachers from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam school in Uthai Thani province, was on a field trip to a science museum in the capital.

The disaster struck around 12:30 PM (0530 GMT) when a tire blowout caused the vehicle to crash into a barrier and ignite.

Eyewitness accounts and harrowing video footage depict the bus engulfed in flames, with thick, black smoke rising into the air. Rescue teams rushed to the scene, but the intensity of the fire made it difficult to immediately access the victims.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that while 21 individuals managed to escape the blaze, 23 others remain unaccounted for and are presumed dead. The victims' bodies are severely charred, making identification a challenging and time-consuming process.

Doctors treating the survivors reported that some children suffered severe burns to their faces, mouths, and eyes. The psychological trauma inflicted on both the survivors and their families is immeasurable.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the Thai community, as parents and loved ones grapple with the devastating loss.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and are working to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Information has been used from Agence France-Presse.