BANGKOK: A terrible fire broke out in a primary school bus in Thailand, as a result of which more than 20 children are feared dead, while 19 jumped out to save their lives.
According to the World News Agency, there were about 50 young children and teachers on the bus, which was returning from a tourist trip to the northern province of Athai Thani.
Eyewitnesses said that the tire of the speeding bus burst, as a result of which it overturned after hitting the roadside fence and burst into flames. The fire started in the front part of the bus.
The children got scared and went towards the back of the bus. The doors and windows were closed. Only 19 people managed to get out of the bus and were shifted to the hospital with injuries.
During rescue operations, charred bodies of children aged 3 to 15 years were found at the back of the bus. The bodies were so badly burned that it was impossible to identify them.
The transport minister said that most of the buses run on extremely dangerous compressed natural gas, the use of which should be banned in passenger buses.
It should be remembered that Thailand has more than 20,000 deaths annually due to substandard roads, poor condition of vehicles and bad traffic system.
