Over 40 passengers stranded in 40 C heat after road rage incident on Hanoi bus

The incident happened around 7 a.m. on Aug. 4, when a bus driven by Nguyen Minh Tuan was heading toward Linh Dam. As the bus slowed in heavy traffic near Alley 124 Nguyen Xien Street, a black seven-seat car traveling in the emergency lane attempted to merge into the main lane.

Unable to give way due to cars ahead, Tuan continued forward. After merging, Bui Truong Son, the driver of the seven-seater stopped, approached the bus and knocked on the door.

When Tuan opened it, Son climbed into the cabin, accused the bus of clipping his car's mirror and removed the ignition key. Despite passengers pleading for its return, he left with the key.

With the bus immobilized, traffic backed up on the elevated road and many passengers had to wait in the emergency lane under intense heat. Hanoi scorched at 40.3 degrees Celsius on Aug. 4, its hottest August day ever.

About an hour later, the bus continued its route using a spare key.

The bus company, Khanh Linh Mining Equipment and Transport Trading JSC, reported the incident to Thanh Liet Ward police.

Son, 48, has been detained by police facing charges of disturbing public order.

He told police he acted out of frustration after the bus driver did not cooperate.