Traffic accidents kill 234 during Tet

A report states more than 290 traffic accidents occurred during the first six days of the Tet holiday, leaving 234 dead.

A National Traffic Safety Board preliminary report states more than 290 traffic accidents occurred during the first six days of the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, leaving 234 dead and 284 others injured.

An injured man being treated at Viet Duc Hospital in Hanoi

The preliminary report showed five major accidents caused many deaths and serious injuries, including two incidents in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa and one crash in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai

Seven accidents occurred in Hanoi during the six days of Tet, killing eight people and injuring five others. Eight others in Ho Chi Minh City killed six and injured two. Two incidents in Danang caused one fatality and one injury.

Despite a sharp increase in traffic accidents last year, the northern province of Bac Ninh has seen out the first six days of Tet with no reported incidents.

Most accidents were attributed to reckless driving, driving in wrong lanes or disobeying other traffic regulations. Alcohol was also reported as a major contributing factor.