HÀ NỘI — Every level crossing in the country will be inspected to ensure railway traffic safety and minimise accidents under a directive issued by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

The decision came after a crash between a train and a car on Monday morning, leaving five people dead and two injured in Hà Nội’s Thường Tín district.

Four people died on the spot while person died en route to hospital. Two others who suffered serious injuries were transferred to Việt Đức Hospital for treatment.

The Prime Minister sent condolences to the families of the dead victims, and encouragement to the injured victims.

He instructed the Ministry of Transport to order Việt Nam Railway Corporation to co-ordinate with relevant agencies to determine the cause of the accident.

Inspections on level crossings should be carried out to reduce railway traffic accidents in the future, he said.

Warning devices should be installed and more guards should be posted at level crossings to control traffic, he said.

The Ministry of Public Security was asked to strengthen inspections and deal with violations of traffic safety regulations, particularly those related to illegal level crossings.

The Prime Minister directed the Hà Nội People’s Committee to mobilise all resources to treat injured victims, organise visits and support families of the victims. Investigations should be conducted promptly and punishment should be imposed on those to blame for the incident.

The crash occurred at 5:30am on Monday morning on National Highway 1A at the section which passes through Văn Bình Commune in Thường Tín District.

The car with seven people in it crossed the railway tracks in Thường Tín District just as the north-south train was approaching. The impact of the collision was so strong that the car was completely destroyed.

According to initial investigations, the car’s driver ignored the warning signs when crossing the railway track. The signals were operating normally.

Shortly after the accident, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyễn Ngọc Đông and Vice chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee Khuất Việt Hùng arrived at the scene to monitor the investigation. — VNS