The accident occurred on March 31 when the coal miners were hitting a pocket of water, which caused parts of the Mong Duong colliery tunnel to collapse. A miner died immediately, two others were seriously injured and were taken to the local hospital. One of them died shortly afterwards.

In an interview with VOV after the rescue work ended, Doan Van Kien, director general of the Vietnam Coal and Mining Corporation said that rarely have almost all miners been rescued in such a mining accident like this case. He said right after the accident, the group and Mong Duong Coal Company had mobilised experienced rescue workers to the scene, who managed to create fresh air circulation inside the tunnel and bring survivors out of the rubble. 

Mr Kien said mining contains life-threatening risks and emphasised the need to pay due attention to ensuring occupational safety and health care for workers to avoid regrettable accidents.