It could take authorities up to 18 months to complete a national study into the spate of unexplained vehicle fires, an official has said.
Vietnam continues to record more vehicle fires
Trinh Ngoc Giao, Director of the Ministry of Transport’s Vietnam Register, told DTiNews that it remained a pressing issue, and they would try to shorten the investigation to around one year if possible.
85% of vehicle fires remain unexplained
According to the Ministry of Public Security's Firefighting and Rescue Department, localities across Vietnam recorded a total of 196 vehicle fires in 2011 with 90 cases remaining unexplained.
After the spate of unexplained vehicle fires, in early 2012, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang said the ministry, especially the national vehicle registration authority Vietnam Register, would take responsibility for all vehicle fires in 2012.
However, the number of vehicle fires has continued to increase since the beginning of 2012. The country recorded up to 47 vehicle fires from early this year through February 10. The causes of the fires in 40 cases, 85 percent of incidents, have yet to be found.
Awaiting final conclusions
The country has 37 million vehicles, including two million cars and 35 million motorbikes in use. In response to the recent spate of vehicles fires, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung assigned the Ministries of Transport, Public Security, Industry and Trade, and Science and Technology to co-ordinate in carrying out a national investigation into the incidents as well as work out the best solutions. However, they have yet to release any persuasive results up to now.
Trinh Ngoc Giao said, “Everyone are waiting for the exact cause of the vehicle fires to be announced but I don’t think one specific reason for the incidents while be found. Our study will focus on fuel quality, vehicle maintenance, the integrity of the vehicle and material used to manufacture the vehicle. We have completed an appraisal for the project and are waiting for the Ministry of Science and Technology’s approval to get funding.”
Giao said that the prime minister has requested the Ministry of Science and Technology to carefully investigate claims that poor quality fuel was a cause, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s institute of petrochemical technology is carrying out more tests.
“It’s really difficult to conclude that petroleum is a major cause of vehicle fires as we could not take samples from all the incidents. We should wait for the final results of the national study.”
Associate Prof. cum Dr. Hoang Manh Hung from the Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA) said the Vietnam Register’s claim that the study would take at least a year was likely to prove controversial.
He added that it would better to only assign the Ministry of Science and Technology to carry out the study to ensure objective results, instead of involving the Ministry of Industry and Trade which is currently managing petroleum products.
