Rescuers are racing against time to recover the bodies of children after a devastating fire consumed a school bus in a northern Bangkok suburb on Tuesday.
The tragedy, which occurred during a school trip, left over 20 feared dead as rescuers continued to search the charred wreckage.
The bus, carrying 38 children and six teachers, caught fire after a tire burst, sending it crashing into a barrier. As flames engulfed the vehicle, 21 passengers escaped, but 23 are still unaccounted for.
Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the uncertainty in the death toll due to the severe burns on the victims’ bodies, which may take days to identify.
Rescue teams worked under harrowing conditions, with screens erected around the wreckage to recover the remains of the victims, many of whom were very young. Survivors, some with severe facial and eye burns, are receiving medical treatment.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her condolences, pledging government support for medical costs and compensation to the families affected.
Thailand’s poor road safety record, among the worst globally, continues to contribute to such tragic incidents, with the World Health Organization estimating over 20,000 road-related deaths annually in the country.
