Around 0:40 AM on 17/1, a section of the Nghi Son - Dien Chau expressway, specifically the segment passing through Hoang Mai - Dien Chau, experienced an accident involving five passenger vehicles and trucks traveling northbound. The person in the Lao-registered truck died at the scene. Five vehicles were severely damaged, including a sleeper bus that sustained a deformed front.

The scene of the accident, early morning 17/1. Photo: Hung Le

The incident caused a two-lane traffic jam on the expressway for five to six hours. The operating team coordinated with traffic police to divert northbound traffic. Vehicles were directed to the Truong Vinh interchange (formerly Hoang Mai town) to access National Route 1 or Ho Chi Minh Road to continue their journey.

After 7h, traffic police dispatched tow trucks to remove the damaged vehicles from the expressway, thereby opening one lane. Nearby interchanges, including Quynh Vinh, Quynh Luu, and Dien Chau, are currently closed to regulate traffic flow.

Nghi Son - Dien Chau expressway experienced a prolonged traffic jam after the accident, morning 17/1. Photo: Hung Le

The Nghi Son - Dien Chau expressway spans 50 km, passing through Thanh Hoa and Nghe An. It features four lanes with a maximum speed limit of 80 km/h. The route lacks an emergency stopping lane, providing only a few technical stopping points. It was not raining at the time of the accident.

Duc Hung