The bus, which tragically caught fire after a tire exploded, was carrying children aged 4 to 15 returning from a school trip to Ayutthaya. Initial reports indicate that the fire may have been exacerbated by the bus's reliance on compressed natural gas, a fuel deemed more dangerous than diesel. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene where teachers struggled to help students evacuate as flames quickly engulfed the vehicle.
Rescue workers encountered significant challenges in recovering the victims. According to Thailand’s interior minister, the fire erupted so suddenly that many were left unable to reach their phones for emergency calls. Additionally, only the front door of the bus was operational, which limited escape routes for the children and led to tragic consequences.
An eyewitness, Ms. Pornprapa Aundonkloy, described the horrifying events as she assisted two young students, saying, 'Their bodies were swollen from the fire.' She noted that the back door's malfunction could have potentially saved more lives, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by those inside the bus during the disaster.
The horrific incident raised concerns over school transport safety. Officials noted that the driver fled the scene amid the chaos, contributing to fears around accountability and the proper safety measures for transporting children on school trips.
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