On the morning of April 22, the Department of Health in Gia Lai issued an urgent directive to local medical centers and hospitals following a serious traffic accident in Thanh Binh hamlet, Binh Giao commune, Chu Prong district. A bus carrying 20 students and one driver overturned, leading to a mass casualty emergency requiring immediate treatment.

The health department instructed all facilities to mobilize staff and ensure adequate supplies of medicine and medical equipment. Hospitals were directed not to delay or refuse care to any patient.

Swift medical response deployed

Le Minh Thai, Director of the Department of Health, emphasized the need for close monitoring of patient conditions. In cases where hospitals could not handle treatment, higher-level facilities were to be contacted before transferring patients to ensure proper care continuity.

Medical units were also required to report updated patient lists and health statuses in real-time to support timely decision-making and guidance.

Dr. Bui Truong Giang, Deputy Medical Director of Hung Vuong Gia Lai Hospital, reported that all departments were mobilized to assess and treat incoming patients. Upon arrival, doctors performed CT brain scans, cervical spine MRIs, abdominal ultrasounds, chest X-rays, and blood tests.

"Within just 90 minutes, 20 doctors and nurses completed all medical assessments and diagnostics. Currently, 15 victims are stable with no signs of internal bleeding, low blood pressure, or loss of consciousness," said Dr. Giang.

Patients distributed across three hospitals

Of the injured, 15 are being treated at Hung Vuong Gia Lai Hospital, including the driver and 14 students. Three others are receiving care at Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hospital and another three at Gia Lai General Hospital.

According to Hoang Anh Gia Lai Hospital’s director, one student suffered severe trauma to their arm and hand. Doctors are attempting to reconnect blood vessels to save the limb.

Details of the accident

The accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on April 22, when a bus transporting students from Nguyen Dinh Chieu Secondary School and Tran Phu High School (in Thang Hung commune, Chu Prong district) veered off the road and overturned in Thanh Binh hamlet, Binh Giao commune.

The vehicle, bearing license plate 81F-001.18, was driven by Phan Dinh Du (born 1968, residing in Hamlet 4, Thang Hung commune, Chu Prong district). It was traveling in the direction from Duc Co to Pleiku when it crashed.

At the time of the incident, the bus carried approximately 20 students en route to school. Initial assessments showed three students suffered head injuries, two had arm injuries, and the rest had minor scratches and bruises.

Local authorities and emergency responders promptly arrived at the scene to assist and transport victims to hospitals.

Deputy Chairwoman of Gia Lai People's Committee, Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich, confirmed that the province had directed the directors of the Department of Construction and the Department of Health to go to the scene to assess the situation and coordinate emergency care for injured students.

Tran Hoan