Hundreds of people rushed in to steal 1,500 cans of beer which fell out of a capsized truck in Dong Nai Province.
Hundreds of people rush to the fallen truck
On December 4, a truck carrying more than a thousand cans of Tiger beer capsized in Bien Hoa City while trying to avoid another vehicle. No one was injured but the cargo spilled onto the street.
The drivers tried to collect the undamaged goods but hundreds of people quickly ran out and looted the beer. Taking advantage of the situation, some people even climbed into the truck to get more beer cartons despite the drivers' plea, "I told them to sympathise with us but the crowd just got bigger. Some people even took carts to carry more," a driver said.
Several witnesses to the chaotic scene called the police but but nearly everything had been looted by the time they arrived. The only able to regain 10% of their goods. The loss is estimated at around VND310 million (USD14,900).
The driver is now worried for his own fate. Representative from Trang Tuan Transport and Auto Repair Company said, "According to the contract, the driver is personally responsible for the loss. However, we will compensate our customer instead of making the driver pay, then work with the insurance company."
Taking beer home
This action received strong criticism from public after the photos were posted on the internet. A university student even hung up a banner which states, "As a citizen of Bien Hoa City, as a Vietnamese person, I am ashamed for those who stole beer on December 4."
According to Vo Thi Hoang Yen, who studies social behavior and is head of Disability Resource and Development Centre in Vietnam, the law must strictly punish such action in order to 'right' the people behaviour.
She said, "They know it's wrong but they do it anyway because there's no punishment. We can't punish everyone who stole but we can deal with the people who are on those photos and videos. The people then will think twice about their action in the future."
