Police check a driver's papers on Highway No 1 in Châu Thành District, Tiền Giang southern province. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Trí

HÀ NỘI — Eighty-nine people were killed in 152 traffic accidents across the country during the Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, from January 20 to January 26, according to the Ministry of Transport, a decrease of 12 cases compared to last year.

The total number of deaths decreased by three on last year's holiday, while the number of accidents fell by 12. However, 111 people were injured, up by eight compared to the last Tết holiday.

The majority were road accidents, though there are four railway and one waterway accidents.

An illegal motorbike racing event was shut-down in HCM City on Sunday – the third day of the holiday. The municipal traffic police arrested 33 people and seized 21 motorbikes.

Road traffic police nationwide punished 21,967 violators with fines totalling VNĐ50.4 billion (US$2.1 million).

They temporarily confiscated 639 automobiles and more than 9,910 motorbikes and withdrew approximately 4,950 driving licences of different kinds.

Of all the violators, more than 7,726 people were fined for high blood alcohol content, an increase of more than 6,600 people compared with the last Tết holiday.

On waterways, police punished one person with an administrative fine of VNĐ1 million ($42).

Railway police fined four violators VNĐ8 million ($340).

Hospital admissions

Hospitals nationwide gave emergency care to more than 242,000 patients during the five-day holiday, an increase of 35.6 per cent compared with the same period last year, said the Department of Medical Service Administration under the Ministry of Health.

As many as 113,869 patients needed to be hospitalised, up by 37 per cent.

At least 3,137 newborns were recorded across the country during the holiday.

A total of 377 people needed emergency aid due to firecrackers of different kinds, an increase of 129 cases compared with last year. — VNS