The incident happened at around 10:30 p.m. at section Km45 of Khanh Le pass on National Highway 27C connecting Khanh Hoa and Lam Dong provinces, according to local authorities.

Witnesses said the bus operated by Phuong Trang was heading from Da Lat to Nha Trang when soil and rocks from the mountainside suddenly collapsed onto its right side.

The strong impact severely damaged the vehicle, trapping many passengers inside.

Heavy rainfall caused multiple major landslides along the pass, making it extremely difficult for rescue teams to reach the site.

Rescue teams needed nearly an hour to access the scene due to two additional landslides at Sections Km43 and Km47 blocking the road, said Le Thi Kim Hoa, head ò the Nam Khanh Vinh commune’s administration.

By midnight, the first three bodies were recovered; three other victims remained trapped under large rocks, requiring authorities to cut through the vehicle to reach them.

There were 32 passengers on board. About 19 injured individuals were transported to Khanh Hoa General Hospital for emergency treatment during the night.

From early morning, military forces, police, and local militia continued clearing the road, reinforcing unstable slopes, and using heavy machinery to remove debris and reach the remaining victims.

Initial investigations indicate that the accident was caused by prolonged heavy rain leading to multiple landslides along Khanh Le Pass — an area known to be prone to incidents during the rainy season.

Khanh Hoa to host requiem for traffic accident victims

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Central Committee and the National Traffic Safety Committee will hold a requiem for victims of traffic accidents in Vietnam at Long Son Pagoda, Khanh Hoa province, on October 3 - 4.