BEIJING—A tragic incident occurred at a school in eastern China early Tuesday, as a bus collided with a group of students and their parents, resulting in the death of 11 individuals and leaving 13 injured, according to local authorities.
The devastating accident took place at the entrance of a middle school in Tai’an city, located in the eastern province of Shandong. The Dongping county police department shared this information on social media. The incident occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m. local time when the students and parents were gathered near the school gate.
Out of those affected by the crash, six parents and five students lost their lives. The police department reported that one individual was seriously injured while others sustained stable conditions.
Law enforcement officials have taken the driver into custody as they launch an investigation into this tragic event. Further details regarding who is responsible for operating the bus have not been disclosed yet. It is common for schools to outsource transportation services to private companies or individuals.
Unfortunately, incidents like these often result in higher casualty numbers than officially reported due to information suppression or alteration by Chinese authorities.
The bus involved in this accident was specifically designed for transporting students; however, it remains unclear who customized it. School safety has long been an issue in China, with concerns ranging from overloaded buses to poorly constructed buildings.
In 2017, another devastating incident occurred when a school bus crashed and caught fire inside a tunnel in Weihai city within Shandong province. This tragedy claimed the lives of twelve people including eleven kindergarten pupils. Among those killed were six Chinese children and five South Korean children; however, it remains uncertain whether this crash was intentional or caused by unsafe driving practices.
China has also experienced several cases involving attacks on school children over recent years using weapons such as knives or homemade explosives. These acts are typically carried out by individuals seeking revenge due to personal grievances or harboring resentment towards society at large.
