A devastating accident in China’s eastern Shandong province on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of eleven people, including six parents and five children, after a school bus lost control at a busy pedestrian junction. The incident, which occurred in Tai’an city, left disturbing scenes as bodies were seen lying on the road, with some trapped under the vehicle, according to footage aired by broadcaster CCTV.
The bus was reportedly picking up students when it veered off course at a junction in Dongping County, crashing into a group of students and parents waiting outside the school. More than two dozen people were injured, with one individual remaining in critical condition, according to state news agency Xinhua.
Police Launch Investigation Into the Cause
The Dongping Police Department released a statement on WeChat confirming that the accident happened on Tuesday morning and that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The tragic event is the latest in a string of deadly accidents involving school buses in China, raising concerns over road safety and vehicle control standards in school transport.
Growing Concerns Over Safety in School Zones
The Shandong crash adds to a series of similar incidents reported across China, highlighting the increasing risks children face in school zones. Earlier this year, in March, a car crashed into several pedestrians in Dezhou, Shandong, killing two people and injuring six others. The same month, another school bus collided with a dump truck in Nantong, Jiangsu province, resulting in one death and eight injuries.
These incidents are part of a broader trend of violence and accidents targeting schoolchildren in China. In 2023, a stabbing incident outside a kindergarten killed six people and injured one, while a similar attack in 2022 in Jiangxi province resulted in three deaths and six injuries. These repeated tragedies have sparked national outcry and calls for stricter safety measures around schools and public spaces.
Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
The latest accident has intensified discussions about the safety of school transportation and pedestrian zones in China. As investigations continue, there is growing pressure on authorities to implement stricter regulations and preventive measures to safeguard children and prevent further tragedies.
The Chinese public, still grappling with the shock of the Shandong bus crash, is demanding accountability and swift action to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups, particularly children, in public spaces.