Thai school trip bus fire..."At least 25 people, including students and teachers, died"

At least 25 people, including students and teachers, were killed when a bus caught fire on a school trip in Thailand, local media reported.

According to the Associated Press, a school bus caught fire during the day of the 1st local time on a highway in Patum Thani province, which is north of Bangkok.

Video from the scene showed black smoke billowing out as the bus was engulfed in flames.

Thai authorities say 25 people are missing and most are believed to have died in the blaze.

Thailand's transport ministry explained that a total of 44 people, including 38 students and six teachers, were on the bus at the time, and 19 people escaped immediately after the accident and were being treated at a hospital.The

accident bus crashed into a barrier when a tire exploded on the way to a school trip carrying elementary and middle school students and apparently caught fire in a fuel tank, witnesses said.

Thai Prime Minister Patton Shinawatra said on social media that he deeply sympathized with the families of those killed and injured.