Nghe An: 3 people died due to collapse of old Suoi Bac tin mine

The incident in which 3 people died at Suoi Bac tin mine (Chau Hong commune, Quy Hop) was determined to have occurred at 2:20 p.m. on March 13.

Authorities at the site of the tunnel collapse. Photo: Huy Nham

The three victims were identified as Mr. Luong Van Tuan (born in 1977), Ms. Luong Thi Hao (born in 1982) and Ms. Sam Thi Hai (born in 1987). All three lived in Ban Chao hamlet, Chau Hong commune, about 3km away from the area where they were collecting tin as the crow flies. Mr. Luong Van Tuan and Ms. Luong Thi Hao were husband and wife.

Also participating in the tin collection and the collapse was Mr. Truong Van Hien, the husband of Ms. Sam Thi Hai, but Mr. Hien was lucky to escape from the tunnel. Afterwards, Mr. Hien and his relatives were able to get Ms. Sam Thi Hai out of the collapsed tunnel area at 3:00 p.m., about 20 minutes after the tunnel collapsed. However, Ms. Hai passed away on the way to the medical station.

Opening the tunnel to remove the victim's body from the collapsed tunnel. Photo: Huy Nham

Upon receiving the news, Quy Hop district mobilized forces, machinery and equipment to the incident site, opened the tunnel mouth and retrieved the bodies of the two victims Luong Van Tuan and Luong Thi Hao at 6:30 p.m.

According to Mr. Huy Nham - Head of Quy Hop District Radio and Television Station, who was present at the scene and joined the forces in opening the tunnel to bring out the victims' bodies, the victims' bodies have now been brought back to their families in Ban Chao hamlet. In the immediate future, the district will support the families of the victims with 5.4 million VND/victim.

Bringing victims from the collapsed tunnel area back to their families. Photo: Huy Nham

Regarding the collapsed tin mine area, according to a representative of Chau Hong commune, this is an area where a mining enterprise used to operate. However, this area has been closed and mining activities have stopped for about 3 years now.

Regarding the cause of the tunnel collapse, the initial determination is that it may be due to the lack of mining activities in this area for a long time, the support column systems and mountain soil were weathered, when there was an impact, the tunnel collapse occurred.

The Suoi Bac tin mine area is about 700m above sea level. In recent years, there have been many violations of laws on mineral exploitation and the environment.