Police inspect the site of the accident. —VNA/VNS Photo Trịnh Bang Nhiệm

HÀ NỘI — The 16-seat coach involved in a fatal road accident on Tuesday morning that left eight people dead was overloaded with passengers and travelling above the speed limit, according to police in Quảng Nam Province.

Early investigations have revealed there were 21 people onboard the minibus when it collided with a heavy goods vehicle in the early hours. 

It was also travelling at least 69km on a road where the speed limit is 60km per hour, said the deputy director of the provincial police department Senior Colonel Nguyễn Hà Lai. 

According to the road monitoring data from the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam, the time of the car crash was around 3.41am. The speed of the coach was 69-73km/h, while the lorry was running at 30-48km/h. 

All vehicles had valid vehicle registrations at the time of the accident. 

Among the victims, 13 are being treated at Quảng Nam Central General Hospital, two were pronounced dead at the hospital, while six died at the scene. 

The Vietnam Registry has assigned the provincial vehicle registration centres (7601S and 7603D) to work with local authorities to investigate the crash. 

On Tuesday morning, a delegation of the National Traffic Safety Committee visited the injured victims and the site of the accident and worked with the local traffic safety committees. The group also visited the families of the deceased. 

Each injured victim receives VNĐ2 million (US$85) in support, while families of the deceased will receive VNĐ5 million ($210). 

Deputy PM's direction

Deputy Prime Minister, Trần Lưu Quang has directed the settlement of the deadly traffic collision.

The direction was made following the serious accident on the road heading towards the Trường Hải Overfly - Tam Hiệp Port.

The Deputy PM directed the chairman of Quảng Nam Province’s People's Committee, the head of the province’s traffic safety board and related provincial authorities to mobilise forces to attend the scene and assist victims. The best medical treatment for victims of the accident was also ordered.

He also asked to increase inspections and patrols to strictly punish traffic violations, ensure road safety, and promptly investigate the accident to find the consequences.

The Deputy PM required the Public Security Ministry to address the accident’s cause quickly, ask the localities to tighten control and manage overloaded trucks and coaches, strictly punish both vehicle owners and transport businesses who violate the law.

He asked the Ministry of Transport and the transport departments of Quảng Nam Province to examine the implementation of business regulations and business conditions of transport businesses, and strictly fine if there are any violations.

People’s Committees of provinces and cities have to tighten the management over the operation and business conditions of transport companies and their vehicles and strengthen inspection of the implementation of transport business regulations to detect regulation violations.

He ordered the national traffic safety committee to learn and evaluate the causes of serious traffic accidents in recent years to clarify the responsibilities of the authorities in the accidents, propose solutions and report to the Prime Minister. — VNS