Khanh Hoa Province Police Director's House Bombed

At around 6:45 a.m. on July 30, 2012, a large explosion occurred at the house of Colonel Tran Ngoc Khanh, Director of Khanh Hoa Provincial Police. Normally, the explosion occurred at the exact time Mr. Khanh returned from swimming in the sea, but today Mr. Khanh did not go swimming in the sea as usual.

At around 6:45 this morning (July 30), at house number 54, Phan Chu Trinh street, Van Thanh ward (Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa), a large explosion occurred. Witnesses said that at that time they heard a loud explosion. Then they smelled a strong smell of firecrackers.

Khanh Hoa Provincial Police are inspecting the scene. Photo: T.Nguyen

The explosion did not cause any casualties. Immediately after the explosion, Khanh Hoa Provincial Police sealed off the scene for investigation. At the scene, Mr. Khanh's glass door was riddled with holes, the glass was cracked, and the wall behind the door was also punctured. The iron-framed glass door had many cracks, including two holes about 5cm in diameter above and below the door, and many holes appeared on the outer edge of the wall caused by the explosion.The wall of Thu May CD store (to the left of gate number 54) had two large holes, bricks were scattered all over the house. The explosion also broke the advertising sign of Thy fashion shop (to the right) into many pieces.

According to Mr. Le Quang Hao, head of Vinh Phuong 1 residential group, Van Thanh ward, at around 6:45 a.m. he heard a very loud explosion and thought it was right at his house. He went to the scene, but the police did not let him in. Mr. Hao said that Colonel Tran Ngoc Khanh often stayed at the above address. Usually, at the exact time of the explosion, Mr. Khanh was returning from swimming in the sea, but today Mr. Khanh did not go swimming in the sea like usual.

Large holes and debris scattered across the floor of Thu May CD store. Photo: Le Xuan

As of 11am, the crime scene investigation was still ongoing.

According to Phapluat-M