Thailand: Bus crash kills 14 and splits vehicle in half
BBC NewsJUL 2023
The world mourns a tragedy that has shattered hearts across borders. This devastating loss of mostly innocent children has left families and communities in Thailand reeling, and its impact echoes globally. From Vancouver to South Africa, people are sending prayers and condolences, their messages reflecting the profound sorrow felt for lives cut tragically short. This heartrending incident serves as a stark reminder of life's fragility, leaving the world to grieve for the light extinguished far too soon.
Compressed natural gas vehicles, despite their environmental benefits, pose significant dangers. The high-pressure tanks storing them can explode catastrophically, causing severe injuries and fatalities. Aging or defective tanks, especially on low-riding vehicles or those with worn shock absorbers, are particularly hazardous. Even minor impacts can trigger devastating explosions, sending shrapnels flying for considerable distances.
Natural gas vehicles have proven to be remarkably safe over the decades. With over 12M NGVs worldwide, fatalities have been particularly low. NGV fleet vehicles reportedly show a 37% lower injury rate than gasoline counterparts. Natural gas's properties contribute to its safety: non-toxic, lighter than air, and dissipates quickly if released. Rigorous testing and real-world experience have consistently demonstrated NGVs to be as safe or safer than conventional vehicles.
There is a 50% chance that 7.286K terawatt-hours of electricity will be generated from natural gas worldwide in the year 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.