A bus bearing Laos license plates exploded and caught fire while en route to Việt Nam today, killing nine Vietnamese and heavily injuring three others, 15km from the central province of Quảng Bình.

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Nine Vietnamese die in bus accident near Laos

June 02, 2016 - 17:19

A bus bearing Laos license plates exploded and caught fire while en route to Việt Nam today, killing nine Vietnamese and heavily injuring three others, 15km from the central province of Quảng Bình.

Authorised personnel rush victims our of the scene. — Photo tuoitre.vn
Viet Nam News

QUẢNG BÌNH — A bus bearing Laos license plates exploded and caught fire while en route to Việt Nam today, killing nine Vietnamese and heavily injuring three others, 15km from this central province.

Officials at the province’s Cha Lo Border Gate reported that the blast and ensuing blaze had taken place at around 4a.m., before they arrived at the scene. The injured have been hospitalised in Laos.

Head of the Nghi Lộc District’s Police Major Nguyễn Trọng Tuệ told zing.vn that the deceased victims were residents of Nghệ An Province’s Diễn Châu and Nghi Lộc districts.

The bus reportedly departed from Laos’ Khamouane Province, heading to central Nghệ An Province in Việt Nam. It was driven by a Khánh Đơn bus operator from Nghệ An.

The officials said the blast had come from the rear of the vehicle, where the bus engine was located. Forest timber that had been processed into wooden beams was found on the bus.

The odour of gunpowder was present at the scene, according to the border guard officials, who said an investigation is underway. — VNS

The burnt bus is left at the scene. — Photo plo.vn

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