Bus Buried by Landslide in Vietnam's Central Highlands
A passenger bus travelling through a mountainous region of Vietnam was struck by a devastating landslide late on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. The incident occurred on the perilous Khanh Le pass in the country's central highlands, a route famed for its views but notorious for danger during the rainy season.
Earth and rocks collapsed onto the vehicle, crushing the front section and trapping numerous passengers inside. The bus was carrying 32 people on a journey from the highland city of Da Lat to the coastal destination of Nha Trang, having originated from Ho Chi Minh City.
Challenging Rescue Operation Amid Continued Danger
Emergency rescue teams faced an extremely difficult operation, with their access to the site severely obstructed. Further landslides blocked the winding 33-kilometre (20-mile) pass on both sides, isolating the area for several hours. Teams battled through these hazardous conditions, only managing to reach the buried bus after midnight.
The situation was compounded by forecasts of more heavy rain throughout the week, raising significant fears of additional landslides and ground instability in the area. The injured passengers, 19 in total, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Tragically, the difficult terrain meant that, initially, two of the victims remained trapped under the debris.
Region Reeling from Severe Weather Events
This tragedy struck a region already grappling with severe weather. Central Vietnam has been pounded by heavy rain, which earlier felt the impact of Typhoon Kalmaegi. Forecasters predicted rainfall through Wednesday could reach 30–60 centimetres (12–24 inches) in parts, with some areas potentially exceeding 85 centimetres (33 inches).
The severe weather has caused widespread disruption, including flooding and landslides in the mountainous areas of Hue city on Sunday. This blocked a major national highway and cut off several villages. Vietnam is one of the world's most flood-prone nations, with scientists warning that a warming climate is intensifying storms and rainfall across Southeast Asia, making such destructive events more frequent.
