A sleeper bus collides with a minibus in southern Đồng Nai Province on early Saturday morning. — VNA/VNS Photo

ĐỒNG NAI — Five people were killed and many others were injured in a crash between a speeding sleeper bus and a 16-seat minibus in southern Đồng Nai Province early on Saturday morning.

According to the National Committee for Traffic Safety, the accident happened on the National Highway No 20's section through Phú Vinh Commune, Định Quán District, at 2.30am on Saturday.

A 52-seat sleeper bus, driven by Hoàng Đăng Tuấn, 28 years old, and carrying 34 passengers, was travelling at high speed when passing a truck moving in the same direction.

The bus crashed into the left rear of the truck, then strayed into the opposite direction lane and collided with a 16-seat minibus, which was carrying eight passengers.

The driver of the 16-seat minibus and four others were confirmed dead on Saturday.

One was confirmed dead on Sunday morning after treatment at Đồng Nai Province General Hospital for multiple injuries.

The Police Investigation Agency of Định Quán District on Saturday took the case and arrested the bus driver for further investigation.

Inspecting the scene on Saturday, Khuất Việt Hùng, vice chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee, said both the sleeper bus and minibus were speeding at the time of the accident.

The trip monitoring device showed the sleeper bus was running at a maximum speed of 69km per hour when the collision happened, while the other vehicle was travelling at a maximum speed of 89km per hour about ten minutes before the accident.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Saturday issued instructions to relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to promptly address the aftermath of the serious traffic accident.

The instructions are detailed in an Oficial Dispatch sent on the same day to the Minister of Public Security, Minister of Transport, the chairperson of the People’s Committees of Đồng Nai and Bình Thuận provinces and HCM City, and leaders of the National Committee for Traffic Safety, and the Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam (DRVN).

The dispatch requires the chairperson of the Đồng Nai provincial People’s Committee to direct relevant agencies and units to mobilise sufficient health workers, medicines, and medical equipment to treat the injured; quickly conduct procedures related to the deceased; and visit the families of the victims.

Đồng Nai’s authorities were also requested to coordinate closely with relevant units of the ministries of Public Security, and Transport, the People's Committees of HCM City and Bình Thuận Province to carry out comprehensive inspection of compliance with business regulations and conditions for auto transport business for businesses and business households with vehicles and people involved in the accident; and strictly address any violations in accordance with legal regulations.

The Ministry of Public Security was ordered to direct the police of Đồng Nai Province and relevant units to urgently investigate the cause of the accident and strictly handle organisations and individuals violating regulations.

The PM also requested the Ministry of Transport to direct the DRVN to coordinate with relevant agencies to review and strengthen traffic organisation and improve the safety of the transportation infrastructure system on National Highway 20.— VNS