A 56-year-old Italian engineer was killed by falling rocks at a local quarry, according to Lê Văn Thọ, Chairman of Phong Dụ Commune, Văn Yên District in the northern mountainous province of Yên Bái.

Landslides are common in northern mountainous provinces of Việt Nam. —Illustrative photo

The chairman said the accident happened at around 11am on Wednesday.    

After finishing a morning shift at a quarry located in the Phong Dụ Commune, the victim was returning to the lodge with Vietnamese workers. A landslide of large rocks killed the man instantly.

Thọ added that the landslide happened about 100 metres from the stone mine exploited by Lương Việt Ltd. Co, where the victim was working.

The accident happened on a 5m-wide road, which was built for vehicles travelling to and from the mine.

Authorities from Văn Yên District and Yên Bái Province soon arrived at the scene to investigate the case.  The victim’s body was later handed over to Lương Việt Ltd. Co.— VNS