The operator of Hai Van Tunnel, which connects the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang and nearby Thua Thien-Hue Province, together with local authorities carried out a firefighting drill inside the newly-completed tunnel, which runs parallel to the existing one, on Wednesday afternoon.

The second tunnel, Hai Van Tunnel 2, is planned to open to traffic in the next few days and expected to help ease traffic overload passing through the current Hai Van Tunnel 1, which has reached 33 million vehicles after 15 years of operation.

The project of construction of the over-6.2km-long, two-lane tunnel, which lies parallel to the existing main tunnel, has been completed after nearly two years of construction.

Ahead of its opening, Deo Ca Investment JSC, the Hai Van Tunnel’s operator, along with police and firefighting forces from Da Nang, took part in a fire drill inside the new tunnel on Wednesday afternoon for emergency response practice.

In the hypothetical situation, a truck had its tire explode unexpectedly inside the tunnel and lost control before hitting the tunnel wall and overturning.

At that time, a passenger bus running in the same direction behind the truck rear-ended it, causing a fire that spread to other vehicles and injuring several people.

The traffic accident disrupted traffic and caused long queues of vehicles.

Staff from the tunnel’s management center detected the incident through their surveillance cameras and traffic sensor systems.

Thanks to the great efforts of firefighters, the blaze was completely extinguished. 

In addition, injured victims were given first aid whilst traffic was successfully regulated to ensure the smooth circulation of vehicles.

Opened in 2005, Hai Van Tunnel 1 provides a more convenient and shorter alternative to the Hai Van Pass for vehicles traveling between Da Nang and Thua Thien-Hue Province.

The tunnel stretches 6.28 kilometers along National Highway 1.

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