Bus crashes in western Thailand, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30 others
Bangkok (AP): A bus crashed in western Thailand early on Tuesday, killing 14 people and injuring more than 30 others, officials said.
The accident occurred in Prachuap Khiri Khan province as the bus was travelling from the capital, Bangkok, to Songkhla province in the deep south. It was carrying 49 people when it ran off the road and hit a tree near Hat Wanakorn National Park, a local police official said. Prachuap Khiri Khan province is located on a coastal stretch between the Gulf of Thailand and Myanmar.
"We presume the driver might have fallen asleep," said Pol. Col. Weerapat Ketesa, the superintendent of the Huay Yang Police Station, adding that officials were waiting for the result of a blood test on the driver, who survived the accident.
Police were still investigating what caused the crash, he added.
Most victims were Thai and a few were Burmese, Weerapat said.
Some 35 people were being treated for injuries at local hospitals, according to the Sawang Rungrueang Rescue Foundation.
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West Asia crisis: Jaishankar holds 4th phone call with Iranian counterpart in 2 weeks
New Delhi (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi – their fourth such conversation since the West Asia crisis erupted – as New Delhi intensifies efforts to secure safe passage for over two dozen Indian-flagged merchant vessels currently stationed on either side of the Strait of Hormuz.
The two foreign ministers held the phone conversation on Thursday night.
Jaishankar and Araghchi spoke on February 28, soon after the US and Israel launched the attack on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They also spoke on March 5 and March 10.
"Had another conversation with Iranian FM @araghchi yesterday night. Discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS related issues," the external affairs minister said on social media.
The latest phone conversation came as India ramped up efforts to secure safe passage to the Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the strategic shipping route of Strait of Hormuz that has been partially blocked by Tehran following an escalation in its conflict with the US and Israel.
Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
An Iranian readout said Araghchi briefed his Indian counterpart on the latest situation "resulting from the aggressions and crimes" committed by the US and Israel against Iran and its consequences on the stability and security of the region and the world.
It said the Iranian foreign minister emphasised to Jaishankar Tehran's firm will to exercise the "legitimate right to self-defence".
"Araghchi emphasised the need for international and regional forums and organisations to condemn military aggression against Iran," the readout said.
"Referring to the importance of the role and position of BRICS as a forum for developing multilateral cooperation, he considered it essential for this institution to play a constructive role at the current juncture to support stability and security in the region and the world," it added.
It said Araghchi emphasised the importance of finding a way to strengthen stability and a sustainable security environment in the region and called it a "collective need".
At an inter-ministerial media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has conveyed to all sides to adopt the path of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the conflict as soon as possible.
We are also talking to BRICS member states so that a consensus evolves on this issue, he said.
