PRESS RELEASE:
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa have addressed the aftermath of a tragic school bus fire involving students from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School from Uthai Thani province. The accident took place on Phahonyothin Road near Zeer Rangsit, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. Recovery operations have been challenging due to gas cylinders beneath the bus, posing additional risks for emergency personnel.
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Anutin, who also serves as the Interior Minister, stated that the incident is classified as a disaster under Thai law, placing the provincial governor in charge of coordinating the response. Survivors have been transported to local hospitals for treatment while authorities continue to stabilize the area. Preliminary reports suggest that a tire explosion may have caused the vehicle to veer off course and collide with a barrier, triggering a fire that spread rapidly due to the bus’s gas-powered system.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said a multidisciplinary team, including social workers and psychologists, has been dispatched to the scene to support the families of those affected. He joins the government and all Thais in mourning the tragic loss of young lives, especially kindergarten students, calling for comprehensive emotional support for grieving families.
The government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has pledged a coordinated effort to aid the victims’ families, mobilizing officials from nearby provinces to offer psychological assistance and evaluate the needs of those impacted.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
