The accident took place on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, just after 7:00 a.m. The incident occurred at the gate of a middle school in Tai’an city located in Shandong province, eastern China. The crash killed 11 people including five students and six parents.
Also Read: Protests Erupt in Israel Demanding Gaza Ceasefire
The accident took place early in the morning around 7:00 AM on September 3, 2024. The crash occurred in front of Foshan Junior High School.
A total of 11 people lost their lives including six parents and five students. Additionally 24 individuals sustained injuries with one person reported to be in critical condition and 12 others in stable condition. The exact status of the remaining injured is still under investigation.
The vehicle involved was a bus specifically designated for transporting students to and from school. The bus had Dongping Dongyuan Public Transport written on it. It was operated by a local transport company.
As the bus approached a crossroad near the school, it lost control and veered off the road, crashing into a crowd of students and parents who were queuing outside the school gates. The incident occurred as the school community was just beginning their day.
Many parents and children were lined up outside the school when the bus suddenly veered towards them. Emergency services were quick to respond with the injured being rushed to nearby hospitals.
The local police department detained the bus driver and an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
The bus involved in the crash was specially customized for transporting students, a common practice in China where many schools contract transportation services to external companies or individuals.
According to the public security bureau in Dongping county, the bus lost control as it approached an intersection near the school. The exact cause of this loss of control is still under investigation.
Also Read: Germany’s Far-Right Party AfD Wins State Election Since World War 2
The incident became a major topic of discussion on Weibo, China’s social media platform similar to X gained 190 million views.
Many users expressed their condolences with one user commenting, “It’s so tragic, I can’t imagine the pain the parents must be feeling. The school year has just started.”
The bus driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, is currently in police custody. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash including whether it was due to mechanical failure, human error or other factors.
The school where the accident occurred has stated that classes and scheduled training for students are continuing despite the tragedy. The school also clarified that the bus involved belonged to an external company.
In March 2024, another accident occurred in Dezhou, where a car crashed into a group of students, killing two and severely injuring six others.
Later that month, a bus carrying students collided with a dump truck in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, resulting in one death and eight injuries.
School safety particularly concerning transportation, has been an issue in China. Overloaded buses, poorly maintained vehicles and inadequate safety protocols have contributed to numerous tragedies over the years.
In 2017, a school bus crash in Weihai, resulted in the deaths of 11 kindergarteners and their driver. The bus caught fire after crashing in a tunnel.
The driver of the bus involved in the Dongping county incident has been detained by the police and an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.
Reports suggest that the driver lost control of the vehicle, but it remains unclear whether this was due to mechanical failure, human error or another factor.
Also Read: Chidimma Adetshina Wins Miss Universe Nigeria 2024 Pageant
