Three die in Bac Lieu knife attack

Three people died and nine others were injured after being stabbed by a mentally-ill man in Bac Lieu Province on July 24.

Three people died and nine others were injured after being stabbed by a mentally-ill man in Bac Lieu Province on July 24.

   

Doctors in Bac Lieu General Hospital treat victims of the knife attack on July 24

Nguyen Binh Tan, party secretary of Vinh Loi District, said the three victims included an 81-year-old woman Ho Thi Tram, 11-year-old Ho Bich Ngoc and 7-month-old Duong Tu Quyen. Tram died at Bac Lieu General Hospital while Ngoc and Quyen died at Cho Ray Hospital in HCM City and Can Tho Central General Hospital respectively.

Vinh Loi District authorities have donated VND5m (USD200) for the family of each victim and VND3m for the injured people. Other departments, social organisations and individuals donated VND20m.

At 3 pm, Thach Sa Khel, born in1983, suddenly attacked other people with a knife. The police in Vinh Loi District arrived at the scene after being informed about the case and arrested Khel.

Ho Van Trang said he was sitting in his house when he saw Khel attacked his 12-year-old son who was playing outside. He ran out to stop Khel but was injured. Khel walked around the village, went into over 10 houses and attacked anyone he saw.

There were rumours that Khel could have taken drugs since he has no dispute with the victims. However, the police said Khel had been mentally-ill for about 10 years.

Lam Anh Tuan, chairman of Hung Hoi Commune People's Committee, said, "He is not a drug addict but has mental illnesses. He was never involved in any violence cases before. After getting married, he went to Ca Mau Province for work and only return once in a while."