Nine Myanmar nationals killed in van inferno

Fire engulfs a van carrying Myanmar nationals in Khlong Khlung district of Kamphaeng Phet province on Sunday. (Photo from Sawang Rescue Kamphaeng Phet Facebook account)

Nine Myanmar nationals were burned to death and six others injured after their van hit a roadside tree and burst into flames in Kamphaeng Phet province on Sunday.

The Sawang Rescue unit in the northern province said the accident took place on Sunday morning on Phahon Yothin Road in Khlong Khlung district. Rescuers found the van engulfed in flames after slamming into a tree. Nine Myanmar nationals in the van were killed and six others injured, including the Thai driver.

Pol Lt Col Natthawut Somchaimongkol, the deputy superintendent of Khlong Khlung police station, confirmed the accident to INN and said the van was heading for Mae Sot district in Tak province.

An initial investigation found the van may have skidded off the highway due to heavy rain in the area, he added.

The identity of the killed and injured passengers and driver have not been disclosed.

In another road tragedy on Sunday morning, six people died when their car plunged into a canal from a bridge in Ayutthaya.