Heart-wrenching news has shaken the Catholic school community in Thailand as they mourn the tragic loss of students and teachers in a devastating bus fire.
By Chainarong Monthienvichienchai – Thailand, LiCAS News
Fr. Paul Ekarat Homprathum of the Catholic Education Council of Thailand shared, “Some Catholic schools have had to cancel planned activities and trips for this month, while others have indefinitely postponed them.”
The fatal incident occurred as a bus carrying six teachers and 39 elementary and junior high school students from Uthai Thani province was on its way to Ayutthaya and Nonthaburi provinces for a school excursion.
Assumption Thonburi School has made the decision to cancel all off-campus activities for the month of October as a mark of respect.
Tragedy struck as the bus caught fire while traversing a highway north of Bangkok, engulfing it in flames too quickly for many passengers to escape.
The devastating fire claimed the lives of 23 students and teachers in suburban Bangkok, prompting families to converge in the capital on October 2nd to identify their loved ones.
Initial reports suggest that some victims were unable to exit the bus due to malfunctioning emergency doors. Tragically, the bodies of three teachers were found embracing their students as they tried to shield them from the blaze in a final act of desperation.
Fr. Ekarat highlighted the crucial role of schools, especially Catholic institutions, in providing support to staff and students during such trying times. He stressed the importance of prayers, liturgical services, and ongoing emotional assistance.
The driver, identified as Saman Chanput, turned himself in several hours after the incident on Tuesday evening. He faces charges of reckless driving causing death and injury, failing to aid others, and neglecting to report the accident.
Chayanont Meesati, deputy regional police chief, revealed that the driver claimed the fire was ignited after the bus lost balance due to a malfunctioning front right tire.
Saman recounted his efforts to douse the flames with a fire extinguisher retrieved from another bus within the group, but unfortunately, he could not contain the blaze and fled in a state of panic. Investigation is underway to determine if the bus company adhered to safety standards.
Currently, three students remain hospitalized, with two in critical condition.
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