On 4/5, the Investigation Police Agency of Da Nang City Police announced the temporary detention of suspect Vo Nguyen Duy An, 24, residing in Thang Dien commune, for violating fire prevention and fighting regulations, as stipulated in Article 313 of the Penal Code.

Driver Vo Nguyen Duy An has been prosecuted and detained.

In connection with the case, investigators are compiling documents to process Nguyen Quoc Vin, 32, the vehicle owner and the individual who hired An to transport the batteries.

According to the initial investigation, on the afternoon of 1/5, Vo Nguyen Duy An was driving a 5-seater oto, carrying two teenagers, 16 and 17 years old, along with numerous fully charged batteries and accumulators. These goods, owned by Nguyen Quoc Vin, were being transported from Tu Nghia hamlet to a warehouse in An Thang ward.

Around 15h23 on the same day, as the vehicle stopped at pump number one of Petrolimex gas station 90 in Thang Dien commune for refueling, An exited the oto, leaving the engine running. While an employee prepared to pump gasoline, the rear trunk of the oto unexpectedly exploded and erupted in intense flames.

The fire prevention, fighting, and rescue team quickly arrived and extinguished the blaze within 15 minutes. At the scene, authorities discovered two individuals inside the vehicle had died. The oto was burnt to a skeletal frame, and one gas pump was completely destroyed.

Authorities determined that the large quantity of fully charged batteries and accumulators transported in the vehicle were not secured safely, leading to a high risk of explosion and fire.

The Da Nang City Police are continuing to investigate the case to clarify the responsibilities of all individuals involved.

Previously, city police leaders stated that An claimed he was "too panicked" when the car unexpectedly caught fire, preventing him from opening the doors or informing others that people were inside to be rescued. Police are continuing to verify the veracity of this statement.

Ngoc Truong