Tragic Bus Fire in Bangkok: A Heartbreaking Incident
Although the bus fire happened in Bangkok precisely a week ago, with aftershocks still being felt across the country, it is already becoming a distant memory for most people because of the plethora of other news stories. The loss of those 23 precious lives, especially to school children, has left an indelible mark on the collective conscience, however, as it doesn’t appear that anything will be the same for the families involved or those who lost their loved ones.
We’ll take a look at some of the facts surrounding this harrowing incident.
Table of Contents
The Incident Unfolds
Photo illustration by Jonathan JonesThe tragedy started when an explosion caused a tyre to burst on the bus, a vehicle for school children. The bus then crashed into a road barrier and burst into flames. The country was already plagued by issues with road safety.
Emergency Response
News of the atrocity broke as rescue workers struggled to deal with the gruesome scene. Live on air, Jonathan Head, the BBC’s Southeast Asia correspondent, describes the extraction of the burned-out bus and the many bodies of the victims: The authorities are sorely testing the equipment, and also the skills of the rescue workers. This bus, you might remember, has been converted to run on compressed natural gas which is very volatile. The authorities are concerned that the gas canisters in the back of the bus have fuel still left in them and therefore could be explosive.
Casualties and Victims
Of those, 20 or more were schoolchildren, the empty school desks left by their voluntary ‘withdrawal’ from this world, as the local saying has it. With an average family size of around five, this means that at least a quarter of all schoolchildren in the village are now lost. The question that haunts us is not ‘Why did they die?’ but ‘How could they?’ Why was the god of rain so merciless to this village? How could the three-ton bus that crushed them be so cruel and ruthless? There are no words to describe how a family feels when its child stays away for a day. The whole village would sob because the skin of that flesh and blood has been hurt so badly. In three months, all the children’s school uniforms and sandals will be forgotten, delinquency will be rampant, and fathers and brothers will be abused.
Road Safety Concerns
The incident has triggered fresh debate about Thailand’s poor road safety standards. The South East Asian nation has a notorious reputation for poor road safety standards, and this latest event has revived calls for improvements in infrastructure and rules. The country’s government has come under fire because the incident has occurred once again, and questions of liability and safety need to be answered.
The Community’s Reaction
Parents, teachers and students alike are understandably devastated by the event, and terrible and familiar grief is mixed with disbelief and shock. Funerals and vigils are planned. Schools need to be ready to let the community gather in their collective sorrow. Counselling services must be on hand to help those who are grieving acutely, who are left numb with the trauma of the event.
Looking Forward
In the aftermath of this tragic incident, together with the community, we are all mobilising efforts to put more safety regulations on school vans, investigate the reasons behind this horrible accident, and hopefully justice will be done to all.
FAQs
What caused the bus fire in Bangkok?
The fire in the bus was caused by the burst of a tire, which caused a collision with a road barrier and a fire.
How many people were affected by the bus accident?
A total of 23 individuals lost their lives in the bus fire, including a significant number of school children.
What measures are being taken to ensure road safety in Thailand after this incident?
The incident has prompted discussions about improving road safety standards and regulations in Thailand, particularly concerning school transportation.
How is the community coping with the tragedy?
The vigils and memorials helping the community move through their grief and loss are bringing them together in their collective devastation.
Conclusion
The fire on the bus in Bangkok, which killed 22 children, might many not have been prevented but the loss of life is an unmistakable wake-up call to those in charge of our roads and those who use them. The mourning community must not allow the memory of the victims to be forgotten but instead use it to fight for a safer environment for every member of society, from the oldest to the youngest. Indeed, the most brutal reminder of the need for safe roads is the death of our children who are the most vulnerable of citizens.
