The fire broke out at around 10pm on October 17 on the Phan Thiet - Dau Giay Expressway at km24 + 300 through Song Phan Commune, Ham Tan District, Binh Thuan Province. This location is right at Song Phan Bridge, about 2km from the National Highway 55 intersection.
At that time, the sleeper bus with license plate 79B - 020.09 was traveling on the highway in the South - North direction. When it reached this location, it burst into flames. Passengers fled, and the fire engulfed the entire bus.
Because the distance from Phan Thiet city center to the scene is more than 30km, it took more than 30 minutes for 2 fire trucks and soldiers to reach the scene. Cars lined up about 4km long on the highway.
Firefighters were deployed to put out the fire. By 11:15 p.m., the fire had been extinguished, but firefighters continued to spray water on the vehicle to prevent it from re-igniting.
The patrol unit arrived to place signs and regulate traffic through the area. The Highway Traffic Control Patrol Team No. 6, Team 6, Division 6, Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security were also present at the scene.
