Suspected stray bullet from training ground into residential area

Heart-stopping bullets pierced the door and shot at people

Recently, Giao Thong Newspaper reporters received a petition from residents of Dong Linh area, Minh Thanh ward, Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh) about the situation of live ammunition suspected to be from a nearby military unit's training ground frequently firing into residential areas, injuring people and damaging property.

Mrs. Bui Thi Tham, who lives in the middle of a field in Dong Linh village, Minh Thanh ward, pointed to the hole in her house's glass and exclaimed that at around 9am on May 31, while she was upstairs, she heard a loud "crash". She rushed downstairs and saw a large hole in her family's kitchen glass door, with broken glass flying everywhere.

"I looked in the direction of the broken glass door to the cupboard and saw a bullet piercing a corner of the cupboard. Luckily I was upstairs at the time, otherwise if I had been standing at the grill, I don't know what the consequences would have been," said Mrs. Tham.

Image of a stray bullet from the training ground hitting a house in Dong Linh area, Minh Thanh ward, Quang Yen town.

Mr. Bui Van On, Mrs. Tham's husband, said that this was the second time the family had been hit by stray bullets. The first time the roof was punctured, but this time it went through the glass door. Luckily, no one was hurt.

"After my house's glass door was broken, I reported it to the authorities and the military unit came to replace the glass door. Based on the direction of the bullets, it was most likely fired from the training ground of Brigade 147 under the Command of Region 1, Navy on the other side of the hill," said Mr. On.

Mrs. Bui Thi Tham pointed to the bullet hole in her family's kitchen cupboard.

Mr. Tran Van Ngoan, 65 years old, from Dong Linh area, was shot in the left shoulder by a stray bullet. Pointing at the scarred wound on his left shoulder, Mr. Ngoan said that he had just finished plowing his family's field when he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder and blood was flowing profusely. When he went to the hospital, the doctor removed a bullet from his shoulder.

"When I went to the hospital, officers from Brigade 147 came to visit me and then took me to the unit's infirmary for care. We recommend that military units with training grounds near neighborhoods take measures to ensure the safety of people when organizing live-fire drills," Mr. Ngoan suggested.

Mr. Tran Van Ngoan pointed to the gunshot wound on his shoulder.

Speaking over the phone with Giao Thong Newspaper reporters on the afternoon of June 14, Ms. Tran Thi Thuy, currently living in Thi Dua village, Thang Loi commune, Van Don district (Quang Ninh) said that many years ago, while she was eating at home, she was suddenly shot straight into the stomach by a bullet.

"After I was shot, officers from the 147th Naval Brigade took me to the hospital for treatment. Until now, every time the weather changes, the old wound still hurts...", Ms. Thuy shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nga, Party Cell Secretary and Head of Dong Linh Area confirmed that recently, there have been cases of stray bullets entering residential areas, causing holes in roofs, broken glass doors, and injuring people...

"Dong Linh area is very densely populated. People have petitioned the authorities to consider ensuring the safety of the people whenever live ammunition is used," said Ms. Nga.

Request to stop live-fire at training grounds near residential areas

Speaking with Giao Thong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Vu Hoai Son, Secretary of Minh Thanh Ward Party Committee, Quang Yen Town confirmed the situation of bullets suspected to have strayed from the training ground into Dong Linh area and some neighborhoods in the area.

"The ward authorities have repeatedly directed coordination to make records of bullets that injured people and damaged property and sent documents to competent authorities for consideration and handling. However, up to now, this situation is still happening, causing anxiety for the people," said Mr. Son.

A resident in Dong Linh area, Minh Thanh ward picked up a bullet that had shot through the roof and landed on the family's brick floor, fortunately not hitting anyone.

Notably, after Giao Thong Newspaper reporters made a recommendation to the Quang Yen Town government about the above mentioned stray bullet situation, on the afternoon of June 11, Mr. Tran Duc Thang, Chairman of the Town People's Committee chaired a meeting with military and police units stationed in the relevant area to review and evaluate solutions to ensure safety for the people.

At this meeting, the authorities of Quang Yen town pointed out that in the area there are two training grounds of the 147th Naval Brigade and the 395th Division. During the training, live-fire was conducted at the two grounds, and the units strictly followed safety regulations.

However, it is possible that during the firing process, the bullet collided with a solid obstacle in the block, causing the trajectory to change and hit a house.

Quang Yen Town People's Committee held a meeting and requested military units in the area to stop firing live ammunition to take measures to ensure people's safety.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Tran Duc Thang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Yen Town requested: Units to temporarily stop live-fire training at the two training grounds from June 12, 2024.

Along with that, the units will review and evaluate technical requirements, find solutions to move solid objects out of the barrier or have other suitable solutions to overcome the situation of bullets flying over the barrier and hitting houses.

After reviewing, evaluating and overcoming the above causes and confirming absolute safety for neighboring residential areas according to standards and regulations, the units reported to the Town People's Committee to continue conducting live-fire shooting at the two training grounds according to regulations.

Speaking to reporters over the phone, Colonel Le Hong Thang, Political Commissar of Division 395, Military Region 3, said that immediately after the meeting with the People's Committee of Quang Yen Town, the unit reviewed and confirmed that the unit's training ground could not fire bullets to Dong Linh area, Minh Thanh ward.

"However, the unit has stopped firing live ammunition at the training ground to review and evaluate all technical solutions in the spirit of ensuring absolute safety for the people," said Colonel Thang.

Regarding this issue, on June 10, in a phone conversation with Giao Thong Newspaper reporters, Rear Admiral Vu Van Nam, Commander of Naval Region 1, said he had received the information and had directed the leaders of Brigade 147 to arrange a discussion and clarify the cause with reporters, and at the same time, to inform local people.

Giao thong Newspaper reporters contacted and scheduled a meeting with Colonel Ngo Van Lua, Brigade Commander of the 147th Naval Brigade. However, on the afternoon of June 12, when Giao thong Newspaper reporters arrived at this unit in Quang Yen Town as scheduled, they received a text message from Colonel Lua saying "not at the unit".

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/quang-ninh-nghi-van-dan-tu-thao-truong-ban-lac-vao-khu-dan-cu-19224061509203254.htm