Nearly 100 fake graves have been built in order to scam compensation money from Phu Bai Airport expansion project in Thua Thien-Hue Province.

New graves suddenly appeared in Thuy Phu and Thuy Tan communes

When the ground clearance work for Phu Bai Airport expansion project was started, statistics show that there are about 1,820 graves in the affected area. However, in a short period of time, many new graves suddenly appeared in Thuy Tan and Thuy Phu communes.

Ngo Thi Ngoc, chairwoman of Thuy Phu Commune, said when they surveyed the site two months ago, they didn't see those graves and it was impossible for so many people to die in such a short time without being noticed. When the authorities asked local people to demolish fake graves, some people have complied.

According to the police in Huong Thuy Commune, the locals have agreed and demolish 31 fake graves on their own, however, there are still dozens of fake graves left.

The communal authorities in Thuy Tan reported 41 fake graves at To Da 1 and Tan To villages.

Colonel Vo Thanh Ky, head of the police in Huong Thuy Commune, said they had verified the fake graves and asked the locals to demolish them. Besides fake graves, the police also found many newly-established shops or temporary houses to increase the value of the property.

After expansion, Phu Bai International Airport will have the capacity to welcome 3-3.5 million passengers in 2020 and up to 7 million per year in 2025. A total USD245m will be spent on the expansion, including the expansion to the airport's terminal, taxiway, runway and apron. 153.17 hectares with 296 households needed to be cleared for the project.

Nguoi Lao Dong/Dtinews