Twenty children and three teachers died in a school bus fire in Thailand. After the accident, the driver fled after unsuccessfully trying to extinguish the flames. Now the 48-year-old turned himself in to the police.
The group on the bus was on a school trip near Bangkok. After a tire blowout, the driver is said to have lost control of the vehicle: the bus scraped past the road barriers and caught fire.
The bus, which was traveling in a convoy with two other buses, is said to run on gas and is therefore particularly vulnerable to fire. In addition to the 23 deaths, several other children were also injured in the accident.
The driver is accused of careless driving
The 48-year-old driver initially fled after failing to control the flames with a fire extinguisher. After turning himself in to the police, he was questioned by them. He is accused of careless driving causing death, injury and property damage, police said. He is also accused of not providing assistance.
The emergency exit could not be opened
The driver confirmed to authorities eyewitness statements that a blown tire was responsible for the accident. Particularly tragic: the emergency exit apparently could not be opened. The license of the responsible bus company was temporarily revoked, “The Nation” newspaper reported.
Most victims were burned beyond recognition
A total of 38 students between the ages of six and fifteen and their six supervisors were on the bus. They were on their way from the province of Uthai Thani to the capital Bangkok, 200 kilometers away. According to broadcaster ThaiPBS World, most of the victims were burned beyond recognition. DNA samples were taken from relatives to identify the dead.
Thailand is one of the countries with the most serious traffic accidents in the world. Motorcyclists are especially often affected. Often entire families travel on one scooter without a helmet. In addition to poor road conditions, excessive speed and drunk driving, the causes of many serious accidents include outdated vehicles that are not adequately maintained.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
