Thailand is reeling from a devastating bus fire that claimed the lives of 20 children and three teachers, marking one of the country’s worst road accidents. Investigators have revealed alarming safety oversights that contributed to the disaster, leading some to describe the vehicle as a “bomb on wheels.”
The harrowing incident occurred when the bus collided with a concrete barrier, resulting in flames engulfing the vehicle within minutes. Passengers seated in the rear were tragically unable to escape the inferno, prompting widespread outrage and mourning across the nation.
Initial findings indicate that the bus, which had been converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), was equipped with six legally installed gas cylinders at the rear. However, investigators uncovered five additional cylinders that were illegally fitted under the front of the bus. Following the collision, a pipe from one of these illegal cylinders broke, causing a gas leak that ignited the fire.
Survivors have reported that the rear emergency exit was also inaccessible, though the reasons for this are still under investigation. In response to the tragedy, the Thai government has mandated inspections of over 13,000 public and private CNG-powered buses and suspended all long-distance school bus trips.
This particular bus had undergone numerous modifications since its registration in 1970, evolving into what has been described as a “franken-bus.” Originally a double-decker, it was converted to a single-decker due to safety regulations. Passengers were seated on the upper deck, while the lower deck housed all the gas cylinders, raising serious questions about the vehicle’s safety.
The heartbreaking loss of 23 lives has left the nation questioning how such a disaster could occur and whether further tragedies can be prevented.
