Huynh Minh Nhi, 31, was criminally detained by Dong Thap Provincial Police on 30/6 for involuntary manslaughter after his electric rat trap killed neighbor Hoang Giang. The incident occurred on the morning of 29/6.

Scene of the rat trap incident that caused the neighbor's death. *Photo: Thanh My*

According to the investigation, about 10 days before the incident, Nhi stretched 300-400 meters of zinc wire around the rice field behind his house in Thanh My commune. He connected the wire directly to the 220V household power supply to kill rats damaging his crops.

Hoang Giang, 33, Nhi's neighbor, was found entangled in the electric wire and died. According to his family, Giang went crabbing every night and was the main breadwinner for his family, supporting two young children.

At the investigating agency, Nhi expressed deep remorse for causing his neighbor's death and for the legal consequences he now faces.

Huynh Minh Nhi (right) reenacts the process of setting up the zinc wire rat trap. *Photo: Thanh My*

Authorities strongly advise residents against using mains electricity for rat traps in any form due to the extreme danger. From late 2025 to date, Dong Thap Provincial Police have initiated legal proceedings in 4 cases involving electric rat traps that resulted in fatalities.

By Ngoc Tai - Thanh My