The Hanoi-HCM City train was crossing through Ngan Son Station in Bo Trach District when an excavator crossed the railway and crashed with the train at 7.20 am.
The excavator was dragged along for 50m and three train carriages were derailed. No fatalities were reported. The excavator's driver and two people on the train were injured.
Nearly 100 of other passengers were transferred to Dong Hoi Station and then board another train to HCM City. Vietnam Railways Corporation had to adjust the schedule of several trains due to the accident.
Dozens of trains and hundreds of passengers were stuck at Ngan Son and Tho Loc stations since the accident happened during the National Day Holiday.
Dozens of workers and various equipment were sent to the scene to move the train and repair the railway. However, trains now are allowed to run at only 5km/h along this section.
Quang Binh Railway JSC said they were investigating the cause of the accident and assessing the damage. They will also continue to repair the railway so that trains can run at higher speed.
This crossroad was illegally opened by the locals. Vietnam Railways Corporation said they had attempted to make the crossroad only useful to small vehicles and pedestrians, put up a warning sign and informed local authorities about the section of the line.
Some photos of the accident:
