Around 5 PM on 10/2, a cargo truck with a Ba Ria - Vung Tau license plate, traveling northbound, suddenly caught fire near Luong Son commune, Binh Thuan province.

Upon discovering the incident, the driver pulled the vehicle into the emergency lane. Other drivers on the expressway stopped to assist with extinguishing the fire, pulling many sacks of goods onto the road to minimize damage.

A column of smoke from the burning truck rises high on the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway. *Video: Nguyen Dan*

About 10 minutes later, the fire intensified, engulfing the entire cargo bed with thick smoke and flames rising high. "The fire was bright red, consuming the cargo truck; it looked terrifying," said Nguyen Thu Lan, a passerby.

Fire and rescue police arrived with specialized equipment to extinguish the blaze. The incident caused no injuries, but consumed most of the vehicle.

Flames engulfing the cargo truck on the expressway. *Photo: Nguyen Dan*

The Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet expressway, over 100 km long, connects Binh Thuan province with the South Central Coast provinces. Opened in 2023, the route helps alleviate congestion on National Route 1 and reduces travel time. However, it has frequently experienced accidents and incidents due to heavy traffic.

Tu Huynh