24-12-2024 (HANOI) Traffic authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into a dramatic container truck blaze that brought morning rush hour traffic to a standstill on one of Vietnam’s busiest motorways.
The incident unfolded at approximately 7:10 AM on Tuesday when a container lorry burst into flames on the Ho Chi Minh City – Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressway, causing significant disruption to commuters heading eastbound towards Dong Nai province.
According to officials from Highway Traffic Control Patrol Team No. 6, the fire erupted without warning as the vehicle descended from Long Thanh bridge, roughly 300 metres past the Long Phuoc toll plaza. The driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, noticed smoke billowing from the engine compartment and swiftly pulled over.
Despite the driver’s immediate attempts to extinguish the rapidly spreading flames and desperate calls for assistance from passing motorists, the inferno quickly engulfed the entire cab section. The intense blaze generated thick plumes of black smoke visible for miles around.
Emergency services rushed to the scene, but by the time firefighters arrived, the truck had been reduced to its skeletal frame, leaving nothing but charred remains on the carriageway.
The incident prompted authorities to close two lanes of the motorway, causing significant tailbacks stretching back towards Ho Chi Minh City. Traffic management implemented emergency measures at 8:00 AM, diverting vehicles to a single lane across the bridge, though considerable congestion persisted throughout the morning.
A spokesperson from the Traffic Police Department’s C08 division confirmed that a joint investigation is currently underway, involving local authorities from Dong Nai province and highway management officials, to determine the precise cause of the devastating fire.
