Passenger bus plunges into ravine, 1 killed and 11 injured
VOV.VN - A serious traffic accident on National Highway 19 in central Vietnam has left one person dead and 11 others injured after a sleeper bus plunged into a ravine on An Khe Pass, Gia Lai province, late on May 10.
According to preliminary information, the accident occurred at around 10:55 p.m. at section Km 61+100 on National Highway 19 in Binh Khe commune.
A dump truck traveling from Pleiku toward Quy Nhon reportedly collided with the rear of a sleeper bus on the Dak Lak–Da Nang route.
The strong impact caused the passenger bus to lose control and plunge approximately 40 meters down a roadside ravine. At the time of the accident, the bus was carrying 12 passengers.
Authorities confirmed that one passenger died at the scene, while 10 others were injured. Two victims suffered serious injuries and were transferred to Gia Lai General Hospital for emergency treatment. Other passengers received first aid from rescue teams and local residents before being taken to nearby medical facilities.
Police, rescue forces and local authorities quickly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations, transport victims to hospitals, secure the area and regulate traffic while investigators examined the crash site.
Initial assessments indicated the accident occurred along the An Khe Pass section, a mountainous route known for steep slopes, sharp curves and limited nighttime visibility. The area also experiences heavy traffic volume and has long been considered a high-risk stretch for long-distance buses and heavy trucks.
The crash caused severe damage to both vehicles, with preliminary property losses estimated at around VND200 million (approximately US$7,800).
Competent agencies are continuing to investigate the exact cause of the accident.