Tragic Bus Fire in Bangkok Suburb: 25 Feared Dead

A bus carrying young students and their teachers caught fire in suburban Bangkok, with 25 feared dead. The tragedy occurred on a school trip from Uthai Thani province to Bangkok. Preliminary reports suggest a tire explosion and subsequent collision with a road barrier sparked the blaze.

A bus carrying young students with their teachers erupted in flames in suburban Bangkok on Tuesday, leaving 25 individuals feared dead, according to officials and rescuers.

The ill-fated bus, which held 44 passengers, was on a school trip from central Uthai Thani province to Bangkok when the fire ignited around noon in Pathum Thani province, a northern suburb of the capital. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit briefed reporters on the dire situation at the scene.

Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul disclosed that the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed as the investigation on-site is still ongoing. However, based on the number of survivors, 25 people are presumed dead. Disturbing videos posted on social media captured the entire bus engulfed in flames, emitting massive plumes of black smoke as it sat parked on the road. More details, including the ages of the students, remain unknown. A rescuer at the scene informed Suriya that a tire explosion followed by the vehicle scraping against a road barrier likely initiated the fire. The rescue group Hongsakul Khlong Luang 21 reported on Facebook that they had discovered at least 10 bodies inside the bus.

(With inputs from agencies.)