A catastrophic landslide struck Khanh Le Pass on National Highway 27C late on November 16, burying a passenger coach and killing six people. Rescue teams continue to work at the scene, where two victims remain trapped beneath massive boulders, and 19 others have been hospitalized.

At around 10:30 p.m., a 40-seat coach operated by Phuong Trang, registered in Ho Chi Minh City, was traveling from Da Lat (Lam Dong Province) toward Khanh Hoa, en route to Quang Ngai. As the vehicle passed through Nam Khanh Vinh Commune on Khanh Le Pass, a downpour triggered a massive landslide from the mountain slope.

Large rocks and earth cascaded onto the road, slamming into the right side of the vehicle. The impact separated the coach’s cabin from the body, shattered windows, and crushed its frame. Inside were 32 people, including two drivers, one attendant, and 29 passengers.

Difficult overnight rescue in extreme weather

Because of heavy rain and multiple landslide points between kilometers 43 and 47, emergency crews faced major obstacles in reaching the wreckage. Rescuers had to hike roughly three kilometers through rugged forest paths to reach the site.

At midnight, a nine-member fire and rescue team from Khanh Hoa province arrived with two rescue vehicles and equipment. Bulldozers and cranes were later brought in to remove the debris and lift rocks weighing several tons.

As of the morning of November 17, four of the six deceased had been recovered and transported to a nearby hospital morgue. Two victims remain trapped inside the wrecked coach, pinned by large boulders. Efforts to retrieve their bodies are ongoing.

Nineteen injured, some seriously

According to the provincial health department, 19 injured passengers were taken to Khanh Hoa General Hospital. Three underwent emergency surgery due to severe trauma. The remaining victims sustained injuries including broken limbs, head wounds, and multiple fractures, but are not in life-threatening condition.

Officials inspect the site and issue warnings

On the morning of November 17, Vice Chairman of Khanh Hoa People's Committee, Nguyen Thanh Ha, visited the site. He reported that due to the sheer volume of rainwater and landslides along Highway 27C, authorities had to approach the accident zone via a narrow mountain trail.

Local officials have coordinated with Lam Dong province to facilitate rescue operations and clear blocked sections of the road. They also warned that Khanh Le Pass  -  a 33 km mountain route linking Lam Dong and Khanh Hoa  -  remains highly susceptible to landslides during the rainy season, and urged travelers to avoid the area until conditions improve.

Another deadly landslide hits nearby Khanh Son Pass

On the same night, a second landslide occurred on Khanh Son Pass in Cam An Commune. A large volume of rock and soil buried a temporary camp where ten workers were sheltering. One person died, another was injured, and one remains missing.

Both sites are under continued monitoring as central Vietnam experiences prolonged heavy rainfall, elevating the risk of further disasters.

Tuan Kiet