Beijing, China: A bus collided with a group of students and their parents outside a school in eastern China early Tuesday, resulting in 11 deaths and 13 injuries, according to police.

The accident occurred just before 7:30 a.m. at the gate of a middle school in Tai'an city, Shandong province. This was the second day of school for children returning from summer vacation across China, as noted by the Dongping county police department in a social media update.

Among the deceased were six parents and five students. Of the injured, one is in serious condition, while the others are reported to be stable.

The driver of the bus is currently in police custody, and the incident is under investigation. The bus was specifically designed for student transportation, though it is not clear who was operating it. Many schools in China outsource such services to private companies or individuals.

September 3, 2024

School safety issues, such as overcrowded buses and inadequately designed buildings, have been ongoing concerns in China. In 2017, a school bus accident in Weihai city, Shandong province, resulted in the deaths of 12 people, including 11 kindergarten students. The bus crashed and ignited in a tunnel, and it remains uncertain whether the incident was intentional or due to unsafe driving practices.

In response to transportation hazards, China has intensified its efforts with stricter training and vehicle inspections. Additionally, there have been numerous incidents of attacks on school children in recent years, often involving knives or homemade explosives. These attacks are generally perpetrated by individuals with personal grievances or broader societal discontent.