A tragic fire engulfed a Thai bus carrying 44 students and teachers on a school trip on Tuesday, officials reported, with as many as 25 feared dead. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra confirmed casualties and extended condolences to the victims’ families. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit mentioned that 25 people were still missing after the fire.
“Out of the 44 people onboard—38 students and six teachers—three teachers and 16 students have managed to escape,” he said. “We are still unclear about the status of those missing.”
The bus, which was traveling from Uthai Thani province, suffered a tire blowout on a highway near Bangkok, causing it to crash into a barrier, according to a rescue worker featured in local TV footage. The bus was running on compressed gas, which ignited its fuel tanks after the crash. Video from the scene showed flames engulfing the bus under an overpass, with thick black smoke rising into the sky.
“I was informed about the fire involving students from Uthai Thani, which has caused deaths and injuries,” Paetongtarn posted on X (formerly Twitter). “As a mother, I extend my deepest condolences to the affected families.”
The fire was eventually extinguished, but rescuers had to wait for the bus to cool before beginning the search for bodies. Thailand’s road safety record is among the worst in the world, with factors like unsafe vehicles and poor driving contributing to its high death toll.