Crash kills 9, injures 5 as victims en route to wedding in central Vietnam

The accident happened around 2pm on Saturday when a 16-seat car collided head-on with a truck that was driving in the opposite direction on the section of Ho Chi Minh Trail in the south-central province of Thanh Hoa.

The car was carrying 13 passengers of two extended families who live in neighboring Nghe An Province’s Anh Son District on their way to a wedding, scheduled to take place in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

Among the deceased are the bride’s parents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

The car driver and owner also died in the accident.

A critically injured man, who is receiving intensive treatment at a general hospital in Thanh Hoa, is very unlikely to pull through, doctors said.

Police have examined the scene of the accident and collected statements from the survivors and witnesses to identify the cause of the accident.

According to Thanh Hoa Province’s competent agencies, a preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the car lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the truck.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, chairman of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, has extended his condolences to the families of the victims and asked concerned agencies to visit and give support to them.

He also asked the provincial police to clarify the cause of the accident and strictly punish violators of traffic rules.

According to the information provided by the Vietnam Registration Agency, the 16-seat Mercedes- Benz Sprinter car’s inspection certificate remains valid, while that of the truck, branded IFA, has expired.

The ghastly site of the fatal accident. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The tearful farewell to the deceased in the accident which happend on January 24, 2015. Photo: Tuoi Tre.