HANOI — At least seven passengers were killed and five others injured after a sleeper bus caught fire following a crash on National Highway 1 in southern Vietnam early Tuesday, authorities said, prompting a police investigation into one of the country's deadliest road accidents this year.
The accident occurred at around 2:30 a.m. in Hung Thinh Commune, Dong Nai City, as the overnight coach was traveling from Lam Dong Province toward Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Ministry of Public Security and local authorities. Preliminary findings indicate the bus struck a roadside embankment before hitting a second embankment and coming to a stop.
Authorities said flames erupted from beneath the vehicle shortly after the collision and spread rapidly through the passenger compartment, trapping several people inside before they could escape. Firefighters extinguished the blaze after about 30 minutes.
Police recovered the bodies of seven victims from the burned vehicle, while five injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment. Officials did not immediately release the identities of those killed or provide updated information on the condition of the injured.
The driver, identified by authorities as 41-year-old Tran Thanh Hai, told investigators he shouted for passengers to evacuate after the crash but the fire spread too quickly. Authorities have not determined the cause of either the collision or the subsequent fire.
The Ministry of Public Security said investigators were examining the scene and collecting evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident. Officials cautioned that the findings released so far are preliminary and that the investigation remains ongoing.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an urgent directive ordering relevant ministries, police and local authorities to investigate the cause of the crash, provide medical treatment and support for survivors, and assist the families of those killed. The directive also called for any violations uncovered during the investigation to be handled in accordance with Vietnamese law.
Sleeper buses are widely used for long-distance travel in Vietnam, particularly on overnight routes connecting major cities and provinces. Road safety remains a persistent challenge despite government efforts to reduce traffic fatalities through stricter enforcement and infrastructure improvements.
Authorities said the investigation was continuing, with no official determination yet on what caused the crash or the fire.
