On the morning of July 21, a representative of Hung Thinh Commune People's Committee in Dong Nai City confirmed that a coach fire had occurred on National Highway 1, leaving seven people dead.
According to initial information, at about 2.30 am the same day, a coach was travelling from Dong Nai to Ho Chi Minh City. When it reached Hung Thinh Commune, the driver noticed flames coming from the front of the vehicle and stopped to try to put them out.
The scene of the coach fire
The blaze then intensified and quickly engulfed the coach. Some people managed to escape, but many victims were trapped inside. The vehicle was carrying a large number of passengers at the time.
After spotting the fire, local residents brought fire extinguishers and other available equipment to help, but were unsuccessful because the flames spread too quickly.
After receiving the report, the Fire Prevention, Firefighting and Rescue Police Division under Dong Nai City Police deployed multiple officers and vehicles to extinguish the fire, carry out rescue work and direct traffic. By the time the blaze was brought under control, the coach had been almost completely destroyed.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.