Tragedy struck in eastern China on Tuesday when a school bus lost control and plowed into a crowd outside a middle school, killing 11 people, including both parents and students. The incident occurred at approximately 7:27 a.m. local time (11:27 p.m. GMT Monday) in Tai’an city, Shandong province, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
The bus, which was approaching the school, veered off the road and struck a group of parents and children standing nearby. The crash resulted in the deaths of six parents and five students, CCTV reported in an update around 11:30 a.m.
In addition to the fatalities, one person is reported to be in critical condition, while another 12 victims are in stable condition.
Photos and videos circulating on social media depict a grim scene, with bloodied victims lying on the road next to the large, grey bus. Distraught adults can be seen kneeling beside unresponsive children, while screams and cries of anguish echo in the background. In one video, a woman can be heard saying, “They’re all dead, it’s so heartbreaking.” She added, “I’d have been killed too if I’d stood there, but luckily I ran away fast.”
The driver of the bus has been detained by local police, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
The accident comes just as many public schools across China have reopened for the new academic year. Unfortunately, deadly traffic accidents are not uncommon in China, where lax safety standards and chaotic driving practices frequently result in tragedies. In July, a vehicle struck pedestrians in the city of Changsha, killing eight and injuring five. The circumstances surrounding that incident are still under investigation.
By Ebubedike Ochu
