Bahrain has ordered a tough review of safety standards for school buses following the death of a five-year-old student after allegedly being left inside the bus for up to six hours as temperatures outside reached nearly 40°C.

His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday ordered officials to ensure children's lives are protected, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

"Any negligence in fulfilling duties will not be tolerated," he was quoted as saying.

Officials have been directed to put in place tough enforcement of rules to ensure safety on school buses. This must include the provision of trained and qualified staff capable of assuming their duties.

He also offered condolences to the child's family.

A probe by the Education Ministry has revealed negligence as the cause of the tragedy.

It is claimed Rashid Fadhel Buzuhaira was locked inside the vehicle on Thursday for nearly six hours. He was only found at around midday in a weakened state and reportedly died on the way to the International Hospital of Bahrain.

Meanwhile, the woman in charge of transport at Al Rawabi Private School has been arrested. The Public Prosecution also summoned the owner of the school.

On questioning, the woman admitted to assigning a school cleaner to accompany students on buses, while the owner confessed she ordered the school management to assign the task of accompanying students on buses to cleaners.

They were accused of unintentionally causing the death of the child and have been held in custody pending further investigation, Northern Governorate's prosecution chief Hussain Al Buali said.

Prosecutors earlier confirmed the school principal, the bus driver and a bus supervisor were in custody after being charged with negligence.

The Education Ministry has ordered the school to inform it by tomorrow of steps taken to prevent similar negligence.

Relatives of the Bahraini boy said they planned to take legal action against the school.-TradeArabia News Service