On the afternoon of 27/12, Lao Cai provincial police announced the results of their preliminary investigation into the cause of a 29-seat passenger bus accident in Phinh Ho commune, which resulted in 9 fatalities and 9 injuries.

The Hanoi-registered passenger bus reportedly experienced a sudden loss of brake effectiveness while traveling downhill.

The accident occurred on a concrete road section featuring an S-shaped curve with two consecutive turns and an 18% gradient. The vehicle accelerated rapidly after its braking system failed on the long, curved downhill stretch, subsequently drifting freely before colliding with a guardrail and overturning.

The passenger bus was crushed after the accident. Photo: CACC

The incident took place around 7h40 on 27/12 at Km35 of national route 32, which connects to provincial route 174, within Mu Thap village, Phinh Ho commune, Lao Cai province. The driver was Do Dang Thinh, 65, residing in Thanh Xuan ward, Ha Noi. The bus, which had departed from Ha Noi, was en route to the Ta Ghenh village school, part of Hoa My Kindergarten in Phinh Ho commune. There were 18 people on board, a volunteer group intending to support the kindergarten.

The accident site viewed from above. Photo: CACC

Local authorities and residents promptly transported the injured for emergency medical care, identified the victims, and initiated measures to investigate the accident's cause.

Currently, 9 injured individuals have been transferred to Bach Mai Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital in Ha Noi for ongoing treatment.

Viet An