JINAN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A fatal school bus blaze that killed 11 children and two adults in eastern China's Shandong Province on May 9 is believed to have been started by the bus driver, who also died in the fire, police said Friday.
The 11 children were aged between three and six, with five from the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the rest from China.
The fire was started on the bus floor near the driver's seat. A lighter cap was discovered nearby and gasoline residue found on multiple spots on the bus, according to Wang Jincheng, deputy chief of the Shandong provincial public security bureau.
"Electricity faults and traffic accidents have been ruled out as the cause of the fire," said Wang, also the investigation team leader.
The bus was involved in a rear-end accident shortly before the fire, but after investigation, police said the fire was deliberate.
The driver, surnamed Cong, was aged around 50 and suspected of starting the fire to vent anger after his overtime and night shift pay had been suspended.
The bus burst into flames around 9 a.m. inside Taojiakuang tunnel in Huancui district, Weihai city, while delivering children to a kindergarten. All 13 onboard died, including a female teacher.
The 37-seat diesel bus was owned by the tourist and renting branch of Weihai Public Transport Group.
The bus had been rented to take children to kindergarten, part of an international school set up to accommodate the children of ROK business people.
Cong was designated by the company as bus driver for the school in May 2012.
