According to a report by the National Traffic Safety Committee, railway accidents have increased significantly over the past seven months, ranking second only to road traffic accidents.

In July alone, 18 railway accidents occurred nationwide, resulting in 12 deaths and 7 injuries. This represents an increase of 9 incidents, 5 deaths, and 4 injuries compared to the same period last year.

The most recent incident occurred at approximately 8:47 PM on July 28, when train SNT5, driven by engineer D.H.H., was traveling from north to south. At a crossing located at Km1696 + 457 (intersection with Pham Van Thuan Road, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province), the train collided with a pickup truck with license plate number 60C-597.XX, driven by Mr. K., who exited an alley without a barrier.

The forceful impact propelled the pickup truck into a garbage truck, resulting in the deaths of Mr. T. (a garbage collection worker) and a child. A witness living nearby stated that when the train approached, the gatekeeper had lowered all three barriers and was preparing for the train's arrival. However, the pickup truck emerged from an alley (intersecting with the railway and without barriers), and despite the gatekeeper's whistle and signals to stop, the truck continued, leading to the tragic accident.

According to the Vietnam Railway Authority, 106 railway accidents occurred in the first seven months of 2024, resulting in 43 deaths and 61 injuries. Among these, there were 2 extremely serious accidents, 39 serious accidents, and 65 less serious incidents.

A representative from the Vietnam Railway Authority stated that of the 106 railway accidents, 49 occurred at unofficial crossings, 40 along the railway, and 15 at automated warning crossings.

National railway lines still have 3,262 unofficial crossings, accounting for 68% of all level crossings between roads and railways. These positions pose a significant risk of traffic accidents.

"The main cause of railway traffic accidents is road users not paying attention when crossing railway intersections. Additionally, many incidents involve deliberate attempts to cross the tracks, standing or sitting on the railway, or leaving vehicles within railway safety limits," said the Vietnam Railway Authority representative.

Following the railway accident in Dong Nai on July 28, the Traffic Police Department (Ministry of Public Security) requested that traffic police and local police enhance their monitoring and strictly handle violations contributing to railway accidents.

The Traffic Police Department also requires units to strictly enforce regulations for crossing railway intersections, maintain railway safety corridors, and review unsafe local crossings to propose solutions. Nationwide traffic police will increase inspections and strictly handle behaviors contributing to railway accidents at crossings, unofficial paths, and dangerous locations.

N. Huyen