Around 22h35 on 9/3, driver Trinh Van Minh, 47, was driving a passenger bus carrying 9 passengers on National Highway 19 from Dak Lak to Gia Lai. Upon reaching Trung Son hamlet, the vehicle suddenly overturned, blocking part of the right road shoulder.

The passenger bus overturned late on 9/3 on National Highway 19. Photo: Huynh Phuong

Many passengers panicked. The driver and nearby residents broke windows to help everyone exit. The incident resulted in Mai Bao Viet, 31, sustaining a hand injury, and Pham Thi Hoi, 67, suffering multiple injuries, requiring emergency hospitalization.

The accident occurred on a curve. The road, about 12 m wide, lacked lighting. It was dark and raining at the time of the accident, making the road slippery. Initial findings by authorities indicate the driver lost control of the vehicle's speed while navigating the curve, causing it to overturn. Estimated damages are about 250 million VND.

National Highway 19, approximately 243 km long, connects Quy Nhon port with Le Thanh border gate. It is a vital transportation route linking the Tay Nguyen provinces with the central coastal region. The road was recently upgraded with over 3,600 billion VND, widening the surface from 6-9 m to 11-14 m.

Tran Hoa