BREAKING: 10 Thai kindergarten students killed in bus blaze

Ten kindergarten students tragically lost their lives, and many others were injured, after a fire broke out on a coach during a school field trip outside Zeer Rangsit mall on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani province, near Bangkok.

The blaze, which erupted on the coach at around 12.20pm today, October 1, was reported by the Facebook page Fire & Rescue Thailand. The ill-fated bus was carrying enthusiastic students from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in the central province of Uthai Thani, aged between four and five years old.

The group was en route to a highly anticipated field trip when disaster struck. Of the 42 teachers and pupils on board, only 19 managed to escape the inferno in time.

Firefighters from the Hongskul Khlong Luang 21 Rescue Foundation swiftly closed the road and battled the fierce flames. Although the blaze has now been brought under control, rescuers have yet to inspect the interior of the bus for safety reasons.

According to a report from KhaoSod, ten kindergarten students were pronounced dead at the scene, and many others were injured. The identities and ages of the victims have not yet been disclosed.

The Facebook news page Ton News, also known as Khon Khao Prakan, reported at about 1.10pm that six injured victims were rushed to the hospital.

KhaoSod added that the students were on their way to the Ayutthaya Historical Park in the central province of Ayutthaya and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Learning Centre in the central province of Nonthaburi.

It is believed the cause of the fire was sparked when a tyre burst, making the bus crash into a traffic barrier.

More news when we get it.

In related news, a fire erupted at a work camp behind the Government Savings Bank in Phuket yesterday leading to a swift response from local officials.

Police and firefighters were alerted to the incident around 11.14am, yesterday, September 30, by Samphan Somsakon, the owner of the house where the fire originated. Samphan explained that he had been charging a power bank inside the house and had stepped outside to rest in a nearby hut.

Shortly after, a loud noise emanated from inside the house. Upon investigation, Samphan discovered the house was engulfed in flames. Despite his efforts to douse the fire with water, it spread rapidly, prompting him to call for help.