A 57 year old Russian woman was killed and another traveler seriously injured on the morning of 8 December after a large rock, believed to have fallen from a materials truck, smashed through the roof of a tour van climbing the Đại Ninh Pass between Bình Thuận and Lâm Đồng provinces.
Rock Falls Through 16-Seat Tour Van
The incident occurred at around 8:00 AM as the 16 seat vehicle, registered in Bình Thuận, was transporting 11 Russian tourists from the beach town of Mũi Né to Đà Lạt via National Highway 28B.
While driving through Phan Sơn Commune on the steep, under construction Đại Ninh Pass, a rock reportedly dropped from a dump truck ahead and pierced the van’s roof.
The impact killed the female passenger instantly. Another passenger — her husband — suffered suspected traumatic brain injury and was transferred to Bình Thuận General Hospital in Phan Thiết in critical condition. A third person sustained minor injuries.
The driver, Trần Cao Minh Trí, escaped unharmed.
Hospitals Treat Multiple Victims
According to Dr. Nguyễn Xuân Thống, director of Bắc Bình Thuận General Hospital, three victims were initially admitted.
• The injured male passenger required urgent transfer due to severe neurological symptoms.
• His wife was treated for minor injuries and later moved to a private clinic at her request.
• The deceased tourist’s body is being held for consular procedures.
Authorities Searching for Involved Truck
Police in Phan Sơn Commune said the suspected vehicle left the scene before it could be identified. Officers are now reviewing roadside security footage and summoning all dump trucks involved in construction along the pass.
The Đại Ninh section of Highway 28B is currently undergoing upgrades, with heavy traffic from trucks carrying construction materials — a situation residents and drivers say has created ongoing safety hazards.
A Dangerous Mountain Pass Under Construction
National Highway 28B connects Bình Thuận with the Central Highlands and is a popular route for travelers heading to Đà Lạt. The upgrade project has increased congestion and debris risk on the mountain pass, where space is limited and protective barriers are incomplete.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, identify the dump truck involved, and implement measures to improve safety for vehicles using the route.
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Source: Vietnam Insider