A tragic accident claimed the lives of seven people and left two others injured when a car veered off National Highway 21 and plunged into a river in Nam Dinh Province, northern Vietnam, on Thursday afternoon, according to local traffic police.

The incident happened around 3:00 pm in Nam Van Ward, Nam Dinh City, involving a seven-seater vehicle carrying nine occupants, including the driver, the provincial Traffic Police Bureau reported later that day – the sixth day of the nine-day Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, which began last Saturday. 

As the car attempted to cross Nam Van Bridge, it struck the bridge’s right railing before plunging into the river below, according to an initial assessment by traffic officials.

Seven people were pronounced dead at the scene, including the driver, 61-year-old N.T.D., her husband, N.D.C., 69, and their daughter, N.N.A., 36.

The other victims included A.’s daughter, eight-year-old T.N.M.K.; N.V.T., 39, and his wife D., 34; and a two-year-old child.

A rescue crane truck is seen lifting the stranded car from the Nam Van River on National Highway 21 in Nam Dinh Province, northern Vietnam, January 30, 2025. Photo: Hong Quang / Tuoi Tre

According to officials, the driver possessed a class B1 driver’s license issued by the Hanoi Department of Transport, valid until November 30, 2030.

The two survivors were identified as 34-year-old N.N.Q. and N.N.D., a sixth grader. Both were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene to bring the victims out of the submerged vehicle.

By approximately 6:00 pm, authorities had successfully recovered the car from the river.

The Nam Van Ward administration stated that the river is modest in size and not very deep, serving as a vital water source for agricultural production.

Preliminary reports indicate that the river’s water level was high at the time due to local farmers diverting water for spring rice planting, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Local traffic authorities are working to determine the cause of the accident, with support from the Traffic Police Department under the Ministry of Public Security.

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