Coal mine collapse kills four in northern Vietnam

Four workers were killed in a coal mine collapse on Saturday in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam's coal mining hub.

Four workers were killed in a coal mine collapse on Saturday in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam's coal mining hub.

The accident happened at 7:20 p.m. at a mine operated by Vang Danh Coal JSC, a member of state-owned mining group Vinacomin, in Uong Bi town.

A company rescue team and local competent forces were on the scene quickly, and retrieved the four bodies at 8:10 p.m.

Outside the mine where the accident took place. Photo courtesy of VietNamNet.

The victims have been named as Luong Hoai Nam, 30, and Nguyen Duc Thao, 34, from Thai Binh province; Truong Van Dai, 33, from Uong Bi town; and Pham Tien Dung, 36, from Quang Ninh’s Dong Trieu town.

According to the Uong Bi People's Committee, a broken water bag in the pit was the reason for the collapse. A police investigation is underway.

Five months ago, a pit collapse also buried two workers at a mine operated by Vang Danh. After spending 12 hours trapped, the two workers were rescued.

Vietnam still largely relies on coal-fired plants for power. Vinacomin said mine accidents killed 17 miners in the first nine months of 2022.