Thailand school bus fire has killed 23 students and teahcers

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A school bus fire in Thailand has killed 23 students and teachers, who have been commemorated at a mass funeral.
A school bus fire in Thailand has killed 23 passengers

A mass funeral has been held in Thailand after a school bus fire killed 20 children and three teachers.

The bus was returning to Bangkok from a school trip on Tuesday when it crashed and burst into flames.

The driver has been arrested and charged with several offences, including reckless driving.

Authorities are investigating several canisters of a highly flammable gas found on board the bus, which may have ignited the blaze.

What happened?

39 school students and their six teachers visited a science museum in Northern Thailand.

They were heading back to Bangkok on Tuesday when the bus crashed in a suburban part of the city. According to Thai authorities, it hit a highway barrier and erupted in flames.

The bus had a permit to install six gas canisters. Police said they found 11 canisters inside the charred vehicle.

The driver turned himself into police, who are investigating potential negligence.

20 students and three teachers died in the fire. Dozens of survivors remain in hospital, where doctors are treating them for serious burns.

Reaction

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, promised victims’ families that her Government would cover their medical expenses.

Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, also said an investigation was continuing.

The victims’ school held a mass funeral on Thursday. Hundreds attended, including a representative of the Thai royal family and several senior Government ministers.

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