### Tragic School Bus Fire Claims 23 Lives Near Bangkok

A devastating accident involving a school bus has tragically resulted in the deaths of 20 children and three teachers. The bus, which was returning to Bangkok from a school trip to northern Thailand, crashed and caught fire just outside the capital. Witnesses reported seeing the bus engulfed in flames, with billowing black smoke hovering under an overpass.

Thailand’s Transport Minister, Suriyahe Juangroongruangkit, revealed that the bus operated on compressed natural gas (CNG), which he described as "extremely risky." The accident occurred when the front tyre of the bus burst, causing it to crash into the concrete barrier that divides the highway just north of Bangkok. The intense fire that ensued left many on board unable to escape.

The scene was deeply harrowing, with videos showing the overwhelming flames consuming the bus. Emergency response teams have identified 23 bodies, including 20 children and three teachers. Forensic police have determined that eleven of the victims were male, seven were female, and five could not be identified due to severe burns.

Nineteen children and three teachers survived the crash, although sixteen of them are currently receiving treatment for their injuries in hospitals. Piyalak Thinkaew, leading the search operation, noted that identifying the bodies has been challenging due to the extent of the burns. He mentioned that many of the victims were found towards the back of the bus, indicating their efforts to escape the fire.

Thailand's Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that the bus driver fled the scene, but authorities are optimistic about locating him soon. As part of the investigation, officials will review tire marks, burn traces, and CCTV footage to understand the cause of the accident and fire.

This tragic accident highlights an ongoing issue in Thailand, which has one of the highest rates of road fatalities globally, with approximately 20,000 deaths annually attributed to unsafe vehicles and poor driving conditions. The Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to prevent similar incidents in the future.