In a tragic incident on Tuesday, a school bus in China's eastern Shandong Province lost control and crashed into a crowd, leading to a devastating accident that claimed the lives of 11 people and injured 13 others. The incident occurred in Tai'an city, just before 7:30 am, outside a middle school. The Dongping county police department reported that the bus, which was a rental hired to transport students, veered off course and struck students and parents gathered at the school gate.

The accident resulted in the deaths of six parents and five students. Among the injured, one is in serious condition, while the others are listed as stable. The driver of the vehicle has been taken into police custody, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

This tragic event underscores persistent traffic safety issues in China, where such accidents are not uncommon due to a combination of factors including weak enforcement of traffic rules, overloaded school buses, and poorly designed infrastructure. The lack of safety awareness and inadequate measures to ensure the proper functioning of school buses contribute to these frequent incidents.

In recent months, China has witnessed several significant traffic accidents. In July, a vehicle ploughed into pedestrians in Hunan province, resulting in eight deaths. Earlier, in May, a bus carrying 45 passengers, including 39 students, collided with a truck in Jiangsu province, leading to the death of one student and injuring at least seven others. In Shandong Province, a similar incident occurred in 2017 when a school bus crashed and burst into flames in a tunnel, killing a dozen people, including 11 kindergarten pupils.

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The Chinese government has been actively working to improve student safety by urging schools to implement proper safety measures, conduct regular vehicle inspections, and enforce strict traffic rules. However, the frequency of these tragic accidents highlights the need for continued vigilance and improvement in transportation safety standards.

China's efforts to address these issues include stringent measures to prevent safety hazards on campuses, safer use of school buses, and enhanced traffic patrols. Despite these initiatives, the challenges remain significant, reflecting broader concerns about traffic management and safety in the country.

For ongoing updates and comprehensive coverage on major incidents and safety issues, visit our Top News Headlines and stay informed.

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