A heart-wrenching video has surfaced showing the final moments of young kindergarten children aboard a school bus before a tragic accident that led to their deaths. The bus, carrying 38 children and six teachers on a field trip, caught fire in a northern suburb of Bangkok, resulting in a horrific tragedy that claimed the lives of 23 people. This incident is considered one of Thailand’s deadliest road accidents in a decade.
The inferno engulfed the bus as it traveled along the highway, leaving little time for passengers to escape. The children, ranging from kindergarten to young teens, were trapped inside the burning vehicle. Rescue workers pulled bodies from the charred remains, with authorities confirming that DNA testing would be required to identify the victims. Screens were placed around the bus to shield the heartbreaking recovery efforts from public view.
Thailand, known for having one of the highest road accident fatality rates in the world, sees around 20,000 deaths annually due to traffic-related incidents. This devastating crash serves as a grim reminder of the country’s ongoing struggle with traffic safety.
The driver of the bus, identified as Saman Chanput, has been arrested by Thai authorities. He surrendered to the police hours after the fire and is now facing multiple charges, including reckless driving resulting in death and injury. According to police reports, the driver claimed that the bus lost balance after the front right tire malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to collide with another car and scrape against a concrete barrier. This impact is believed to have caused sparks that ignited the blaze.
As families mourn the loss of their loved ones, they were brought to Bangkok to provide DNA samples for identification purposes. The recovery process had been delayed due to the intense heat from the burned-out bus, which had been fueled with natural gas. Authorities are working as swiftly as possible to confirm the identities of the victims and offer closure to the grieving families.
This tragic incident has deeply shaken the nation, and calls for improved traffic safety regulations are being renewed as the investigation continues.