On 23/9, Hoe, a resident of Phu My Tay commune, was charged with murder by Gia Lai Provincial Police and released on bail.

The scene of the incident on the night of 16/9. Photo: Gia Lai Police

In 2023, Hoe's 700+ square meter rice paddy in Phu Thien hamlet was infested with rats. To combat the infestation, he placed uninsulated wire in the paddy and connected it to his home's electricity meter.

On the evening of 16/9, after connecting the wires, Hoe returned home without posting any warning signs. Around 9:30 p.m., three young men went to the area near the paddy to catch birds. Two of them, Do Phi Toan, 33, and Le Van Hung, 33, collapsed and became unresponsive after stepping about two meters into the field. The third man suspected electrocution and tried to rescue his friends with a tree branch, but was unsuccessful.

He called for help, and nearby residents shut off the power to Hoe's house, but Toan and Hung were already dead.

At the scene, authorities recovered over 67 meters of electrical wire and bare wire, 35 bamboo stakes, a homemade gun, and other related items.

A forensic examination confirmed that the cause of death was electrocution.

Tran Hoa