A devastating tragedy unfolded in Bangkok on Tuesday, October 1, when a school bus carrying students and teachers burst into flames after a crash—killing more than 20 people and leaving 16 others seriously injured.

The victims were from Wat Khao Phraya Sangkharam School in Uthai Thani province. The group had been on a school trip to visit historic sites and a learning center when the unthinkable happened.

According to early reports, a tire on the bus blew out, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle slammed into a metal barrier, triggering sparks that ignited the gas tank. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the bus within minutes and leaving little time for escape.

Witnesses described the heartbreaking scene as passengers—many of them children—tried desperately to flee. Some ran to the back of the bus in hopes of finding an exit, but the flames quickly blocked any way out.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly to put out the fire and rescue survivors.

In response to the incident, Thailand’s Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, pledged a full investigation into what went wrong. Authorities will examine not only the tire blowout but also the vehicle’s condition, driver response, and school safety protocols.

The tragedy has sparked nationwide grief and renewed concern over the safety of school transportation in Thailand. As families mourn, many are calling for urgent reforms to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.