Nghệ An, Vietnam – In a shocking five-minute rampage inside the Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, a 29-year-old man armed with a fruit knife attacked seven people — including nurses, family members, and newborn infants — in a scene that left medical staff and patients reeling in horror.
Authorities have detained Ban Van Vy, who is under investigation for attempted murder and intentional injury, following the violent outburst that unfolded on the morning of October 23.
Department of Neonatology, Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital, where the incident occurred.
A Normal Morning Turns into Chaos
Vy’s wife had just given birth to twins, one of whom had been transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit due to infection. According to hospital staff, Vy appeared calm when visiting his wife earlier that morning — before suddenly snapping around 10 a.m.
Witnesses say Vy burst into the hospital room, grabbed a small fruit knife, and began attacking people seemingly at random. A nurse and a patient’s relative were the first victims. Screams filled the corridor as patients and family members scrambled for safety.
“He suddenly turned violent. I saw him try to grab a baby and run toward the window,” said Phan Thi Tu, a 63-year-old grandmother who was caring for her premature grandchildren in the same room.
“I begged him not to throw the child. He strangled me, but I fought back and ran with the baby in my arms.”
Vy then allegedly chased Tu and struck both her and the infant before turning on others nearby.
‘He Tried to Throw My Grandchild’
Another witness, Ngo Thi Thu Thuy, from Dien Chau District, recalled the horrifying moment Vy seized her newborn grandchild and headed for the restroom, apparently intent on throwing the baby.
“I didn’t think of my wounds — I just had to protect the baby,” Thuy said, showing bandages on her arms after being stabbed several times.
Even Vy’s wife, lying weak from childbirth, was attacked as hospital staff rushed to intervene.
Bravery Amid Panic
Hearing the screams, nurse Tran Thi Hong sprinted from an adjacent room and confronted Vy, managing to snatch the baby from his hands before fleeing.
“He was furious, holding the knife tight. I just ran as fast as I could,” Hong said.
As Vy pursued her through the ward, another nurse, Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, grabbed the child and hid with colleagues in a small staff room, using a thin blanket to cover the newborn. Vy found them and stabbed Trang four times before being restrained.
A hospital security guard recalled hearing shouts of “Fire on the third floor!” — only to find chaos instead.
“When I arrived, I saw him stabbing a nurse. I tried to calm him down, to buy time so the nurses could escape with the baby,” the guard said.
Within five minutes, police officers arrived and subdued Vy.
Seven Injured, One in Critical Condition
Hospital director Tang Xuan Hai confirmed that seven people were injured — including two nurses, a medical student, two relatives, and two infants. Nurse Trang sustained serious stab wounds but survived after emergency surgery at Nghe An General Hospital.
One newborn suffered minor head injuries but was stabilized.
A Wake-Up Call for Vietnam’s Healthcare System
The Nghe An Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital — a top regional maternity facility with over 1,300 staff — has since tightened security measures.
The attack highlights growing concern over violence against healthcare workers in Vietnam. According to the Ministry of Health, most such incidents occur in provincial hospitals, with 70% of victims being doctors or nurses.
The World Health Organization estimates that 8–38% of healthcare workers globally experience workplace violence at least once in their careers — often at the hands of patients or relatives under stress.
As authorities continue investigating what drove Vy’s sudden breakdown, the country is once again debating how to protect those who dedicate their lives to saving others.
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