Police under the Ministry of Public Security has so far concluded the possible cause of the recent motorbike and car explosions to be short circuit of battery wires.

However, police did not rule out other external causes or accident-related factors. Motor experts said that very old vehicles, poor quality batteries and installations of added accessories such as horns, fancy lights etc., could all have loose wiring that would result in vehicles catching fire.  

Police said they will continue their probe into the matter and reach final conclusions as to the cause of these deadly accidents in which many human lives have been lost.   

Firefighters in Hanoi disclosed that from December 1 to 18, this year, 42 motorbikes had burst into flames, while travelling on city streets.

While in other districts, 18 had been charred by sudden fires. The bikes were manufactured by various companies namely, Hyundai, Daewoo, BMW, Mercedes, Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia, Toyota, Honda and SYM.

The Ministry of Public Security said it needed more time to investigate; hence was unable to give answers immediately after the accidents occurred in such quick succession.

In related news, a motorbike burst into flames on Saturday while travelling on Hung Vuong Street in My Tho City in the Mekong delta province of Tien Giang.

The owner of the bike, Luu Minh Hai, from Phong Thuan village in Tan My Chanh Commune of Tien Giang Province, said he was riding with his wife and children when   suddenly he noticed a fire near the battery. Luckily, he and his family managed to jump off the bike before it burst into flames.  

The motorcycle was of the ‘Union’ brand name, bought over 2 years ago but Hai had only just installed a new battery in it.

SGGP