Thanh, a resident of Dong Quang ward, Thanh Hoa province, has been charged with violating traffic regulations under Clause 3, Article 260 of the penal code and is currently in custody. The People's Procuracy of Ha Tinh province approved and announced the decision on 30/7.

Investigators examine the scene of the accident on 25/7. Photo: Duc Hung

Investigators examine the scene of the accident on 25/7. Photo: Duc Hung

On the evening of 24/7, Thanh was driving a sleeper bus registered in Da Nang, carrying over 30 passengers on a fixed route from Hanoi to Da Nang. At 1:50 a.m. on 25/7, the bus was traveling at high speed on National Highway 1, passing through Song Tri ward, in the former Ky Anh town. It was raining at the time, the 12-meter-wide road was slippery, and there was a downward slope.

Investigators allege that Thanh, observing no other traffic, "negligently drove the bus at 99 km/h," exceeding the 80 km/h speed limit. This excessive speed caused him to lose control, colliding with milestones, a drainage ditch, and a high-voltage power pole before the bus overturned and slid into a vacant lot beside the road.

9 people died at the scene. 16 others were injured, one of whom later died after being taken home. The bus was severely damaged.

Le Ngoc Thanh, right, speaks with police. Photo: Police Department

Le Ngoc Thanh, right, speaks with police. Photo: Police Department

According to the Da Nang Department of Construction, the bus previously operated on a fixed route between Da Nang's central bus station and Da Lat's inter-provincial bus station in Lam Dong province. On 16/7, the department issued a notice suspending the bus's operation on this route, recalling its permit, and marking it as "expired."

The bus, manufactured in 2023, had a valid inspection certificate until 6/2026. It was not registered for transport business with the Da Nang Department of Construction, and had not been issued a permit. Despite this, the operator continued to use the vehicle for commercial transport.

14 injured passengers are now in stable condition and have been discharged from the hospital. One Laotian passenger with a fractured cervical vertebra and risk of paralysis was transferred to Hue Central Hospital on the afternoon of 25/7.

Witness recounts rescuing victims of the bus crash in Song Tri ward. Video: Duc Hung - Anh Phu - Do Nam

Ha Tinh province's People's Committee, the Traffic Safety Committee, and the provincial police have provided 40 million VND to each family of the deceased and 12 million VND to each injured person. The Song Tri ward People's Committee has allocated 25 million VND to families of the deceased and 5 million VND to the injured.

Duc Hung