A workplace accident at a cement and minerals factory in northern Vietnam has claimed the lives of seven workers. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered authorities to investigate the cause of the incident, which authorities suspect involved a faulty electric motor.

The accident occurred on April 22 during routine maintenance on a crusher at the Yen Bai Cement and Mineral Joint Stock Company in the town of Yen Binh, Yen Bai province.

Three additional workers were injured and remain hospitalized. Provincial leaders, including the Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, responded to the scene, overseeing relief efforts and directing accident response measures.

Swift government response

Prime Minister Chinh has expressed condolences to the victims' families and directed the province of Yen Bai to provide support and promptly investigate the cause to clarify any breaches of workplace safety protocols.

The Ministry of Public Security has also been ordered to assist in the investigation and to pursue legal action if violations of the law are found.

In a separate directive, the Prime Minister ordered the Ministry of Construction, in cooperation with other ministries and the province, to review workplace safety standards across the country's mineral processing and cement manufacturing sector. This order is designed to head off similar accidents at other facilities.

Spotlight on poor workplace safety

This tragedy puts a renewed focus on the topic of workplace safety in Vietnam. While the country has enjoyed rapid industrial growth in recent decades, that transformation has not always been accompanied by sufficient safety regulations and enforcement.

Labor groups have frequently criticized conditions in Vietnamese factories, especially in sectors like mining and construction materials production.

Vietnam's Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs reported a total of 7,394 occupational accidents occurred nationwide last year, resulting in injuries to 7,553 individuals, with 1,720 cases classified as severe. Additionally, the year 2023 witnessed 662 fatal accidents, claiming the lives of 699 individuals.

It said the situation of labour accidents in areas without labour contracts showed signs of increasing, in terms of both the number of cases and the number of victims.

In the past, the government has pledged to strengthen regulations. The swift and high-level response to this week's accident suggests that safety is being taken more seriously. Nonetheless, the accident in Yen Bai underscores the serious risks still faced by industrial workers within the country's economy.