Police in the central Ha Tinh Province have arrested the driver of a bus which was swept away by strong currents from a flooded river last Monday, leaving 20 passengers dead and missing.
Tran Van Truong, 35, was taken into custody Saturday for “violating traffic laws causing serious consequences,” said Phan Huu Dan, police chief of Nghi Xuan District.
Police said Truong ignored warnings and drove the bus carrying 38 people into the flooded area. He faces the maximum jail term of 15 years if convicted.
Last Monday the bus was swept away by strong currents at the foot of a bridge in Nghi Xuan District.
Local authorities said Truong and 17 other people managed to get out by breaking the front windows and swam ashore, some by clinging to power poles.
The public transport bus was traveling from the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong to the northern Nam Dinh Province.
Rescuers have by far recovered the bodies of 15 passengers. The remaining five passengers are presumed dead, police said, though the search for them has not been called off yet.
Rain-triggered floods have claimed 76 lives, including the 15 passengers on the bus in Ha Tinh, and left six still missing.
