TAI'AN, China - A school bus accident in China's Shandong province resulted in the deaths of 11 people and left 13 others injured on Tuesday morning, according to state media reports.
The incident occurred at 7:27 a.m. local time in front of Fushan Middle School in Dongping County, Tai'an city, when a bus designed to transport students veered off the road and crashed into a crowd. Among the victims were parents and students who were either on their way to school or accompanying their children.
China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the driver lost control of the bus as it approached the school. As of 11 a.m., 24 people had been affected by the incident, with six parents and five students confirmed dead. One of the injured is in critical condition, while the other 12 are reported to be stable.
According to Liu, a local resident whose business is located on Xuchang Road near the scene, the incident happened as students were gathering for the first day of school for sixth graders. "There were many people at the school gate-students, parents, electric bikes, bicycles, and private cars. The bus was parked on the side road, but suddenly it swerved onto the sidewalk, knocking over pedestrians, before crashing into a tree and stopping at the school gate's fence," Liu told Jiemian News.
Graphic images circulated on social media, showing injured children and adults lying on the ground, some bleeding and others trapped under the vehicle. The bus, a light yellow minibus with the registration number J00202D, was seen parked with its front end against the school gate's fence, while shoes and other personal belongings were scattered around. Agence France-Presse confirmed that the incident took place outside Fushan Middle School in Dongping County.
The bus involved in the accident belongs to Dongping County Dongyuan Public Transportation Co. Ltd., a small enterprise established in 2012. The company's officials, including those responsible for operations and safety, are currently under police investigation.
In the wake of the tragedy, some citizens took to social media to express their concerns about the school's responsibility in the incident. "The school must be held accountable," one commenter wrote. "They make the children wait outside until the exact start time before opening the gates. This strict policy created a significant hazard."
Another user echoed the sentiment, arguing that, "The school should allow students to enter earlier to avoid crowding outside. This delay in opening the gates puts all the risk on the students and their families."
The school, a government-funded institution located in the western part of Dongping County, serves over 3,500 students across 65 classes. Despite the incident, classes and military training for other students continued as scheduled.
The area around Fushan Middle School has long been plagued by traffic congestion. The school is situated near the Dongshun Times Square commercial district, which is surrounded by numerous residential buildings, shops, and restaurants. A local government official acknowledged the challenges but noted that recent proposals to improve safety have not yet been implemented.
This latest tragedy has sparked public outrage, with many criticizing the school's policies and local traffic management. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities have promised a thorough examination of the circumstances leading up to the crash.
