Seven individuals perished and five were injured when a sleeper bus collided with a roadside embankment in Dong Nai, Vietnam, leading to a rapid and fatal fire. The incident occurred on National Highway 1A while the bus was carrying 33 passengers, many of whom were asleep. Survivors described a chaotic scene as they attempted to escape the burning vehicle, with those towards the rear of the bus being unable to evacuate in time. The driver has indicated that drowsiness and distraction may have contributed to the initial crash, with authorities now investigating the full circumstances of the tragedy.

Seven individuals perished and five were injured when a sleeper bus collided with a roadside embankment in Dong Nai, Vietnam, leading to a rapid and fatal fire. The incident occurred on National Highway 1A while the bus was carrying 33 passengers, many of whom were asleep. Survivors described a chaotic scene as they attempted to escape the burning vehicle, with those towards the rear of the bus being unable to evacuate in time. The driver has indicated that drowsiness and distraction may have contributed to the initial crash, with authorities now investigating the full circumstances of the tragedy.

Seven individuals perished and five were injured when a sleeper bus collided with a roadside embankment in Dong Nai, Vietnam, leading to a rapid and fatal fire. The incident occurred on National Highway 1A while the bus was carrying 33 passengers, many of whom were asleep. Survivors described a chaotic scene as they attempted to escape the burning vehicle, with those towards the rear of the bus being unable to evacuate in time. The driver has indicated that drowsiness and distraction may have contributed to the initial crash, with authorities now investigating the full circumstances of the tragedy.

About 7 people were killed after a sleeper bus travelling on a Vietnam highway through Dong Nai city caught fire after crashing into a roadside embankment. Five others were left injured.

Local authorities say that the 24-bed bus was passing through Hung Thinh Commune over 30 kilometres from Dong Nai’s capital Bien Hoa city at around 2:30 am when the accident occurred.

The bus reportedly struck an embankment on the road. The fire broke out at the front of the vehicle and spread rapidly through the passenger compartment. There were 33 people on board, including the driver, 41-year-old Tran Thanh Hai.

Some passengers managed to escape. However, many others were trapped inside the burning vehicle.

One of the victims, Thanh Thao, who escaped, told 24h, a Vietnamese news site, that the bus was travelling from Ninh Thuan to Ho Chi Minh City at around 2 AM on July 21st, on National Highway 1A, passing through Hung Thinh commune (Dong Nai province). At the time of the fire, most of the people on the bus were asleep. She had heard a loud noise, and when she pulled back the curtains, she saw flames engulfing the vehicle.

“Everyone rushed to grab their belongings and get out of the car. At that moment, flames shot up from one of the middle doors, so everyone had to run to the front and then jump out. There were still many people in the car at the time, but they couldn't get out in time. I only found out in the morning that seven people were trapped inside. I was the last one to get out and suffered minor burns," Thao recounted.

Another passenger, an elderly woman, said that she was assigned to a sleeping berth near the driver's seat and she was pulled off by the driver when the flames spread.

The surviving passengers say that those at the front of the vehicle had a chance to escape, while those at the back didn't make it in time.

Residents living close to the scene rushed to rescue the passengers using fire extinguishers and other available equipment in an attempt to put out the blaze. However, the flames were quick and engulfed the bus. Authorities dispatched firefighters and rescue personnel after they received an emergency call.

The injured were taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The scene has been cordoned off for forensic examination. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, identifying the victims and verifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The driver's alcohol and drug test also came back negative. The driver, however, admitted that he was drowsy from sleep and distracted while driving, leading to the accident.

TAGS