Bus explosion kills 8 Vietnamese in Laos

HANOI, Vietnam – A local official says an explosion on a bus in southern Laos near Vietnamese border has killed eight people and injured three others.

All the victims were Vietnamese returning to their home province of Nghe An in central Vietnam, a border guard official at the Cha Lo checkpoint said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The Vietnamese driver and his assistant were unhurt.

The incident on the 45-seat bus that was loaded with lumber to make furniture occurred early Thursday in the Lao province of Khammouane, he said.

He added that Lao police were investigating, and that pieces of firecrackers were seen at the scene.