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Drivers who caused massive blackout detained
  • By Trung Kien-Cong Quang | dtinews.vn | May 24, 2013 02:09 PM
 >>  Low awareness about high voltage power lines causes power outage

On May 23, police in Binh Duong Province detained three people who caused a massive blackout to 22 provinces and cities in the south.

 
 Police arrive on the scene

The three people accused of damaging the 500KV cable are crane driver Ngo Tan Thao, co-driver Nguyen Trung Thanh and the woods keeper Huynh Van Hien.

According to the initial investigation, Thao was maneuvering the 17.5 metres tall trees from the woods. The tree collided with the power line.

After hearing a loud bang, Thao jumped out and saw both the tree and the crane's front wheels were destroyed. The incident severed power lines to the south and resulted in a massive power outage.

However, the police also said all three are poor labourers who are unable to afford to compensate for the accident. Enterprises are unlikely to receive compensation from the power company.

Lawyer Nguyen Van Truong said that according to the laws, Thao would have to pay VND5-6 million (USD240-287) for violating electricity safety rules as well as compensation for the damages. Truong added that the investors and managers of power lines must re-assess their policies and practices after the incident.

Current law states that investors of high-voltage power projects must remove any buildings or trees in close proximity before construction. Any buildings or trees that remain must be reported and the investor or manager must implement safety measures to avoid accidents. 

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