More than 500 drug addicts broke down the gate and fences of a compulsory drug habilitation centre in Hai Phong on May 16 evening and walked into the city’s centre.

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Residents of An Lao town, nearly 10km from the rehabilitation centre, saw around 500 half-naked men parading in the street at 8:15pm on May 16. Many of them were covered with tattoos and some held sticks as they walked and shouted “Let’s go home!” Many people were frightened and immediately closed their doors and hid in their houses.

By 10pm, the drug addicts continued to Kien An district in the centre of Hai Phong, followed by many police officers.

At 11:30pm, seeing traffic and mobile police, the drug addicts divided into smaller groups and ran into alleyways to hide. Some were picked up by their families.

Hundreds flocked to the area to see the display, causing disorder and traffic jams in Hai Phong.

According to the latest information from the city’s authorities, 127 drug addicts have voluntarily returned to the rehabilitation centre. Police are hunting for 451 others.

Hai Phong authorities held a press conference on May 17 about this break-out. Pham Van Moi, Hai Phong Chief, estimated that a total of 587 drug addicts escaped. He explained that the case originated from a conflict between two drug addicts at 12noon on May 16. Two more drug addicts called for other members to break out of the centre at dinner. “The call” was responded to by over 500 members, making this largest-ever break-out by drug addicts.

The case became more complicated when hundreds of people joined the “parade” on motorbikes. The parade dissolved at 11pm.

Colonel Duong Tu Trong, Hai Phong Police Agency’s deputy director, asserted that police closely supervised the escaped drug addicts from the rehabilitation site to Hai Phong’s centre to prevent disorder.

Authorities are still calling for relatives to return family members to the rehabilitaton centre.

Moi confirmed that the escapees did not commit any harmful acts.

At the press conference, many people raised questions about the reason for the break-out, which was very serious, and asked authorities to keep investigating the case.

PV