Bus Carrying 24 Passengers Catches Fire on Cam Lam-Vinh Hao Expressway, One Dead

A sleeper bus carrying 24 passengers caught fire on the Cam Lam-Vinh Hao Expressway on the night of September 7th, leading to the death of a 19-year-old male passenger and causing traffic congestion of over one kilometer. The incident occurred around 11:45 PM when the bus, with a former Binh Dinh provincial license plate (now Gia Lai), was en route to Ho Chi Minh City. Near the Quy Hau Bridge in Phuoc Hau commune, smoke and flames suddenly erupted and quickly engulfed the vehicle. According to the expressway management unit, upon noticing the incident, the driver steered the bus to the far right lane, retrieved some important belongings, and shouted for passengers to exit. Some individuals used mini fire extinguishers to fight the blaze, but their attempts were unsuccessful due to the rapidly spreading flames. Specialized forces on the expressway collaborated with the police and relevant units to extinguish the fire and manage traffic flow. After more than 20 minutes, the fire was brought under control. The fire resulted in the death of passenger Nguyen Gia Vy, 19, from Gia Lai. The bus was reduced to a skeletal frame, and many belongings were incinerated. The incident caused a traffic jam extending over one kilometer on the expressway. Around 1:00 AM on September 8th, traffic was regulated, and vehicles were allowed to continue their journeys. Photographs from the scene show the aftermath of the accident. At the time of the fire, the weather was clear, and the road surface and traffic safety systems were reported to be normal. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The Cam Lam-Vinh Hao Expressway, over 78 kilometers long, was opened in April 2024. It features four lanes with a maximum speed of 90 km/h and had a total investment of over VND 8,900 billion (approximately $360 million USD). This expressway is one of five sections connecting Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City and has experienced several incidents, including fires involving trucks and passenger buses due to technical issues. Source: VnExpress