At Least 25 Feared Dead As School Bus Catches Fire In Thailand

At least 25 people were feared dead as a bus carrying students with their teachers caught fire in Thailand on Tuesday. The tragic incident happened on the outskirts of the capital Bangkok. The bus was carrying 44 passengers. Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reportedly said that the death toll could not be confirmed as officials were still investigating the scene.

The bus was carrying children and teachers who were returning from a school field trip in the northern province of Uthai Thani, reported the BBC. Video footage from the scene showed flames engulfing the bus as it burned under an overpass. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, transport minister of Thailand, said the number of fatalities was not clear, but 25 people were unaccounted for after the incident. 

"Initial reports said there are 44 on board, 38 students, and six teachers. As far as we know now, three teachers and 16 students got out," the minister told reporters. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra offered her condolences in a post on X and said that the government would take care of medical expenses and compensate the victims’ families.