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Shocking dashcam footage has captured the moment a bus exploded after it was hit by a freight train earlier today.
The explosion engulfed the bus and killed its eight passengers in central Bangkok, Thailand, in response to the country’s deputy transport minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat.
Rescue crews and firefighters were dispatched and managed to contain the blaze, which happened near the town’s major Makkasan railway station.
Speaking shortly after the tragedy, Mr Angkasakulkiat said: ‘Eight people were killed and 32 injured, with the wounded being treated at various hospitals.
‘All eight dead were on the bus.’
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Authorities currently imagine the bus was driving over a level crossing when its lights turned red, Mr Angkasakulkiat explained.
While this vehicle’s location prevented the crossing’s barriers from closing, the red light and heavy traffic stopped the driving force from moving off the track, witnesses reported.
Meanwhile, the train, which was carrying containers, was unable to stop in time, the minister explained.
Dashcam footage shared on social media showed the moment the bus and several other other vehicles were thrown down the railway line by the train before the bus became engulfed in flames.
Wanthong Kokpho, a bike taxi driver, witnessed the crash and said: ‘Cars were also blocked and unable to maneuver forward.
‘The hearth broke out immediately … If this had been a standard working day, the damage would have been much worse.’
For the reason that fire was brought under control, rescue teams have continued to go looking for victims, in response to Thai authorities.
In addition they confirmed an investigation has been launched into the reason for the incident.
Thailand’s roads are notoriously dangerous, and the country has certainly one of the best road traffic death rates in Asia, in response to the World Health Organisation.
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