The most read Vietnamese newspaper
Edition: International | Vietnamese
© Copyright 1997 VnExpress.net. All rights reserved.
Chengdu police said the accident occurred Monday when the SU7 collided with another car, killing a 31-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to CNBC.
Footage recorded from a nearby apartment showed the vehicle engulfed in flames while bystanders tried desperately to break the windows by kicking and punching, but failed. One man attempted to use a fire extinguisher, but the blaze spread too quickly for anyone to reach the trapped driver.
A video shared on social media shows the fatal crash involving a Xiaomi EV. Video from Facebook
Firefighters later arrived to extinguish the fire and used hammers and chainsaws to open the doors. The 31-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Chosun Daily.
The Chengdu Public Security Bureau Traffic Management Department said that "inspection results indicate the driver is suspected of drunk driving, and the circumstances of the accident are under investigation," as quoted by the Chosun Daily.
The vehicle involved is believed to be a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, a Chinese electric sedan priced at 529,900 yuan (US$74,479), as reported by CnEVPost citing local outlet The Paper. Following the incident, Xiaomi’s stock in Hong Kong slid as much as 8.7% on Monday, marking its sharpest decline since April, CNBC reported.
This tragedy follows similar incidents involving other EV brands. According to the New York Post, a Tesla caught fire in Germany on Sept. 7 after crashing into a tree, killing a 43-year-old man and two 9-year-old children trapped inside, as rescuers were unable to open the vehicle’s electronic doors.
