Accident on Khanh Le Pass amidst heavy rain: Passenger bus buried under rocks and soil, many casualties.

At approximately 10:30 PM on November 16th, on National Highway 27C, at kilometer 45 (Khanh Le Pass, Khanh Hoa province), a 40-seat Phuong Trang passenger bus with license plate 59H-53114, traveling from Da Lat to Nha Trang, met with an accident. A large mass of earth and rocks suddenly fell from the embankment, crushing the right side of the vehicle and causing severe damage.

At the time of the accident, the mountain pass area experienced heavy and prolonged rainfall. Landslides not only occurred at kilometer 45, but also simultaneously at kilometers 43 and 47, cutting off the road and hindering rescue efforts. Rescue teams had to mobilize a large amount of equipment and move slowly and cautiously due to the continued falling of rocks and soil.

After more than an hour of efforts to clear a path, at around midnight on November 17th, the authorities finally reached the wrecked vehicle. Access was hampered by mud, strong currents, and treacherous terrain.

According to Ms. Le Thi Kim Hoa, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Nam Khanh Vinh commune, the accident resulted in six fatalities. Three people were pulled from the vehicle that night; the remaining three victims were trapped inside the vehicle.

Additionally, 19 injured passengers were urgently transported to Khanh Hoa Provincial General Hospital for treatment.

The preliminary cause has been identified as a traffic accident related to a natural disaster. Prolonged heavy rain caused a landslide on the embankment, with the soil collapsing onto the road at the exact moment the passenger bus was passing by.

Authorities in Khanh Hoa province are mobilizing maximum manpower and resources to continue searching for and removing debris and restoring traffic safety along the entire route.