>> Two killed, 26 injured as train ploughs into six cars
The Ministry of Transport will cooperate with police to further investigate a railroad accident that killed 2 and injured 26.
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| Car wreck |
The accident happened when the train, the northbound SE2, smashed into six cars while passing over the Ghenh Bridge in southern Dong Nai Province.
Nguyen Van Cong, Spokesman for the ministry, commented at a recent meeting that this was the most serious accident to occur during the Tet holiday. He suggested that all parties involved cooperate with police.
According to the Dong Nai Traffic Police, this was the most serious railroad accident to have ever taken place in Bien Hoa.
Guards to blame?
The bridge shares traffic with cars and motorbikes. And, according to the Dong Nai Traffic Police, the fault might lie with the guards at both ends of the bridge, whose job was to clear it before any train passed by. Because of an oversight, at around 8:30 pm on February 6, the train crashed into six cars, causing 2 deaths and 26 injuries.
Seven people have been taken into custody by provincial police for their allegedly negligent behavior. This includes the driver of the train, the guard on the train and five guards who manned the bridge.
As of 10:30 am, February 7, one patient was being treated for brain damage at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City. 11 had light injuries and were sent home after treatment, the rest are being treated at Dong Nai General Hospital, and are in stable condition.
Nguyen Van Cong commented that Ghenh Bridge is not the only one to share traffic with trains and motor vehicles. Other bridges could also pose a danger, but the ministry will look into the situation to see what further actions are necessary.
According to the Department of Road and Railway Traffic Police, between 2009 and 2010, Vietnam witnessed a total of 1,045 railway accidents, 451 of which occurred 2010.
Scene of the accident, evening of February 6
Aftermath of the accident
Motorists continue to use train bridge when the train is approaching
Motor vehicles are still allowed
Ghenh Bridge remains open to both motor and foot traffic
