Death toll in bus blaze tragedy rises to 25, 22 students, 3 teachers

The death toll from a devastating bus blaze tragedy today on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok has soared to 25. Among the victims were 22 young students and three teachers.

According to a grim update by KhaoSod, the ill-fated coach was packed with 44 students, aged between three and nine, along with their devoted teachers from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani. The group was eagerly heading to a field trip to Ayutthaya Historical Park and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Learning Centre in Nonthaburi.

Disaster struck when a tyre burst mid-journey, causing the driver to lose control of the bus. The vehicle then careened into a traffic barrier in the right lane, igniting a catastrophic fire that would claim the lives of so many.

The media reported that the students from the school were travelling in three separate buses, and the fire broke out on bus number 3.

After extinguishing the fire, rescuers examined the bus and discovered the tragic sight of more than 10 victims lying lifeless near the emergency exits and other car doors.

Initially, Thai news agencies reported that 10 students lost their lives in the incident, 19 others managed to escape, while 15 remained missing.

The latest update from KhaoSod at around 2pm revealed that 25 victims were killed in the bus fire, including 22 students and three teachers. Their ages and identities have not yet been disclosed. There has been no report regarding the coach driver.

PM breaks down in tears.

A surviving teacher told KhaoSod that she tried to evacuate each student but the doors would not open leaving many students and teachers trapped inside the vehicle.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reportedly broke down in tears upon hearing the news after a parliamentary meeting. She later cancelled her schedule and planned to visit the hospital to meet the victims. PM Paetongtarn shared on her X (Twitter) account…

“I am aware of the fire on the bus from Uthai Thani, which was carrying students on a field trip when the fire broke out on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, near Bangkok, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.

As a mother, I want to express my deepest condolences to the families of the injured and deceased. As the head of the government, I assigned Anutin Charnvirakul, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, and Sabida Thaiseth to rush to the scene. The government will ensure that all medical treatment and compensation for the affected families are fully provided.”

One family, whose eight year old son Ong-art Jaisaen was on the trip, came forward to urge ThaiRath to share a missing poster of the boy, as they were desperate to know if he was safe. Many netizens sent their wishes for his safe return and hoped he would soon be reunited with his family.

ORIGINAL STORY: 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.