Tran Duy Xuan, 60, died on 27/7 after accidentally falling into an electric rat trap he had set in his family's rice field in the Mieu Xom area of Thanh Thuy ward, Hue City. The incident occurred in the evening as Xuan was setting up the traps to protect his rice crops. His son, Tran Duy Sung, 36, discovered his father lying motionless by the field's edge around 7:15 PM after becoming concerned when he didn't return home. Despite immediate efforts to get him to emergency aid, it was too late. Thanh Thuy Ward Police investigated the scene and confiscated the electric trap.

Residents setting electric traps to kill rats. Photo: Vo Thanh

This tragic incident highlights a persistent issue in rural Hue City, where residents frequently employ electric traps for rat control in their fields. This practice, despite its dangers, remains common. A similar fatality occurred in 2020 in Thuy Van commune, Huong Thuy town, where another individual died from electric shock while setting such a device. Local authorities have issued warnings on numerous occasions, yet the dangerous practice continues.

Vietnamese law explicitly prohibits the use of electricity for trapping or catching animals, as well as for protective measures. Violators face substantial fines, ranging from 60 million to 70 million VND. Furthermore, farmers who illegally use electricity for rat control, leading to a death, can face criminal prosecution.

Vo Thanh