A tragic accident in northern Vietnam has claimed the lives of at least seven people after a bus carrying a group of volunteer teachers overturned on a treacherous mountain road.
Details of the Mountain Road Crash
The incident occurred on Saturday, 27 December 2025, in the Yen Bai province. According to the Vietnam News Agency, the 29-seater bus was travelling downhill when it flipped and was crushed. The vehicle reportedly crashed into a guardrail for approximately 50 metres before overturning on a sloped road connecting National Highway 32 and Provincial Road 174.
Local media confirmed the bus was transporting a group of teachers from the capital, Hanoi, to a village school where they were due to undertake volunteer work. Nineteen people were on board at the time of the accident.
Rescue Operation and Casualty Toll
Emergency services faced significant challenges due to the remote location and steep terrain. Police, military units, local officials, and residents were all mobilised to assist. Heavy machinery was deployed to cut through the wreckage as rescuers raced to reach passengers who remained trapped.
By 10:30am local time, rescue workers had pulled 10 survivors from the wreckage. Officials confirmed that at least nine of those rescued were injured. The death toll was initially reported as seven, though some news outlets suggested it could be as high as nine. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims and have stated the final number of fatalities could still rise.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Context
Hoang Anh Tuan, a senior local official, indicated that initial findings pointed to a possible brake failure as the cause of the crash. However, he stressed that a full investigation into the exact circumstances is ongoing.
This tragedy highlights a persistent and major problem in Vietnam. Road accidents are frequent, particularly on northern mountainous routes where a combination of steep gradients, narrow roads, and heavy vehicle traffic significantly increases the risk of serious collisions. Authorities have promised to provide further updates as the rescue operation concludes and the investigation progresses.
