Bus Disaster

Will those who died in the bus fire be in the official death toll for Rita?

Thanks

DMH

Not that it should matter, one life lost is one too many... but I would assume, "no." From what investigators have found, the bus caught on fire due to mechanical failure, with the fire spreading through the bus, itself, resulting in explosions from on-board oxygen tanks...

This is in no way related to Hurricane Rita.

Regards -

Well the deaths occurred as a result of the evacuation... there were elderly people who died on busses leaving New Orleans who were counted in Katrina's toll. In those cases, it was heat and the lack of the air conditioning in the busses. I can see how a case could be made that this is a similar situation... old and frail individuals being evacuated and then their deaths resulting from mechanical issues on the bus.

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This is in no way related to Hurricane Rita

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It is a direct result of Rita actually, but not the fault of the Rita. There is a difference. Also what exasetrbated the fire's damage 20 fold were the O2 cannisters for the elderl that blew in result of the fire onboard (or blew themselves for other reasons).