On the night of May 26, 2025, a tragic accident unfolded on National Highway 3B in Kim Lu commune, Na Ri district, Bac Kan province, as a 36-year-old man named Nguyen Duy Ph., residing in Kim Hy commune, lost control of his motorbike at high speed. He crashed through a corrugated iron fence that was erected to warn of a dangerous sinkhole, known locally as the "death pit," and both he and his motorbike plunged into the deep abyss.
The sinkhole, which had been a growing hazard since late March 2025, had already swallowed up hundreds of cubic meters of rock and soil poured in by authorities in an attempt to stabilize the road. Spanning more than 10 meters in diameter and plunging roughly 10 meters deep, this sinkhole was one of seven that had appeared in Kim Lu commune over the preceding two months, steadily increasing in size and severity.
Immediately after the accident, local authorities and rescue teams sprang into action, deploying specialized equipment including advanced cameras, field pumps, and mechanical tools to search for the missing man and his vehicle in the treacherous terrain. The area’s difficult topography, deep waterlogging, and suspected underground caves made the search perilous and complicated.
Despite these efforts, the search yielded only a few corrugated iron sheets from the fence and a shirt believed to belong to Nguyen Duy Ph., identified by his family in Kim Hy commune. His relatives confirmed the victim’s identity based on the recovered shirt and details of his motorbike journey prior to the accident.
For over two weeks—from May 27 to June 10, 2025—the search continued tirelessly, with local authorities maintaining a constant presence at the site to ensure safety and coordinate rescue operations. However, the subsidence at the sinkhole worsened during this period, exacerbating the risks for the rescue teams and complicating the operation.
Given the ongoing dangers and the lack of progress in locating the victim, the People's Committee of Na Ri district submitted a report to the Provincial People's Committee of Bac Kan. After careful consideration, the provincial authorities agreed to suspend the search efforts for the missing man, prioritizing the safety of rescue personnel.
On June 12, 2025, the People's Committee of Bac Kan officially announced the decision to halt the search operations at the "death pit," based on Na Ri district's proposal. Vice Chairman Nong Quang Nhat emphasized the importance of continuing to review and verify all information related to the victim while strictly prohibiting unauthorized access to the hazardous area to prevent further accidents.
Authorities were instructed to maintain vigilant monitoring and warnings at all subsidence sites within Kim Lu commune, especially at the sinkhole located at kilometer 80+050 on National Highway 3B. The Department of Construction was tasked with coordinating closely with local government units and related agencies to urgently implement measures to stabilize and repair the sinkhole, ensuring traffic safety and protecting the lives of residents in the affected area.
Meanwhile, the retrieval of rescue equipment and vehicles was ordered to proceed immediately, alongside coordinated traffic management to ensure safe diversion routes around the dangerous zone. The provincial government also called for efforts to support and comfort the victim’s family, discouraging them from entering the perilous site on their own.
This tragic event has highlighted the growing threat posed by sinkholes in the region, which have repeatedly swallowed materials meant to fill them and disrupted the safety of a critical national highway. The authorities’ ongoing challenge is to find effective, long-term solutions to these geological hazards while balancing the urgency of public safety and the emotional toll on affected families.
The "death pit" on National Highway 3B serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers lurking beneath the surface and the critical need for vigilant infrastructure management in vulnerable areas. As Bac Kan province moves forward with remediation efforts, the community remains hopeful for safer roads and a resolution to this unsettling chapter.
