Five people were killed and six others severely injured after a tractor trailer rammed a passenger bus in the south-central Vietnamese province of Binh Dinh on Wednesday night.

The accident occurred on National Highway 1A in Phu My District, Binh Dinh at around 9:55 pm, Ho Quoc Chanh, head of the office of the Phu My People’s Committee, confirmed on Thursday.

According to the provincial traffic police unit, a tractor trailer operated by 28-year-old Nguyen Van Huong was traveling south on the highway when it collided with a sleeper bus traveling in the opposite direction.  Fourty four-year-old Nguyen Long Ho was driving the bus.

Four passengers aboard the bus died immediately and a fifth victim passed away en route to the hospital.

Six other victims with serious injuries were transferred to the Binh Dinh Province General Hospital.

Authorities arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to carry out an investigation.

Initial information showed that the two bulldozers carried by the tractor trailer exceeded the truck’s capacity.

The two bulldozers carried by the tractor trailer after after the collision. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Meanwhile, the sleeper bus was carrying 18 passengers, two drivers, and two assistants.

Le Thi Ly Na, a 22-year-old passenger on the bus, is currently being treated for a head injury and soft-tissue wounds. She said most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the accident.

“There was a very loud noise.  Many seats on the right side of the bus and the people sitting on them, including me, were thrown to the ground,” Na recounted.

Vo Van Thoai, 34, another passenger, suffered considerably more severe injuries, including a fractured spine, injured weak arms, and paralyzed legs. Doctors say he may require surgery and will have to follow a long road to recovery.

The Binh Dinh administration offered VND5 million (US$219.2) in support for each injured victim and VND10 million ($438.5) to support the families of each deceased victim.

The scene of the accident. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The scene of the accident. Photo: Tuoi Tre

The scene of the accident. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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