Bus accident claims 31 in Kon Tum - VietNam News

Published: April 23, 2005
Updated: April 23, 2005

What a sad irony that these people who managed to survive through wars and hard times should die in a bus smash on a journey of remembrance. Thousands of war veterans are making the journey from the north of Viet Nam to arrive in HCMC in time for the massive celebrations that are planned to take place in this city on April 30th, the anniversary of the liberation of Saigon.

(22-04-2005)

KON TUM — Thirty one veterans died and two others were injured in a deadly bus accident yesterday while on a trans-Viet Nam tour that began in Ha Noi and was to end in the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

Local police said the accident took place at 8:30 am in Dak Glei District, 130km from Kon Tum township in the Central Highlands province of Kon Tum. The bus appears to have veered off a high mountain road while traversing the Lo So peak.

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Rescuers recover victims from the accident site. — VNA/VNS Photos Tien Minh

The bus was transporting 33 people, all of whom were war veterans from the French and American conflicts, and all were from Kim Lien District in Ha Noi. Two drivers were also on board.

The two seriously injured passengers have been hospitalised at the General Hospital in Kon Tum Province.

Local authorities reported after their inspection that the bus was driving at high speeds, and that many road signs appear to have been hit by the bus before it plunged into a ravine 70 metres deep.

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The wreckage of the bus lies at the foot of Lo So peak after plunging from a high mountain road.

Provincial Chairman Ha Ban arrived at the scene to steer the rescue operation. By 2:10pm, all victims had been recovered from the wreckage. Local authorities said they will conduct an investigation soon.

In response to the tragedy, the Prime Minister sent a telegram to the ministers of Public Security, Transport, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the chairs of the Ha Noi and Kon Tum’s People’s Committees.

In the telegram, he asked the Kon Tum People’s Committee to urge all related agencies to make every effort to save the injured.

The Ha Noi People’s Committee, ministries of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Transport, Viet Nam Veterans Association have been asked to send a team to Kon Tum to help the recovery effort at the accident site.

He also sent his condolences to the Viet Nam Veterans Association and victims’ families. — VNS

Footnote:

Party leader offers condolences

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh offered his condolences yesterday to Veterans Associations in Kim Lien and Dong Da districts, as well as to the families of victims of yesterday?s bus crash.
He also expressed his condolences to the leaders of the Party and People?s Committees of Ha Noi.
Party leader Manh asked the minister of transport and all other relevant agencies and local governments to give priority to the injured and to provide for families of the victims.
In response to the tragedy, Ha Noi city authorities have sent ambulances to Da Nang to transport the bodies of the victims.
The Ha Noi People?s Committee has promised to provide families of victims with VND3 million in compensation.

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