Construction workers at a Samsung factory in northern Vietnam have clashed with police and set fire to motorbikes, leaving at least 13 people injured.
Thai Nguyen province People's Committee Chairman Duong Ngoc Long told VOA's Vietnamese service the violence erupted over a disagreement between workers and security guards at the construction site.
There are conflicting reports on the reason for the skirmish, including disagreements over safety protocols and a report that a worker was beaten by guards after he entered the site through a wrong door.
Long says an investigation has been launched.
"Those who were found responsible would be dealt with according to the law. We take this matter seriously in order to prevent something similar from happening in the future."
In a statement quoted by the Associated Press, Samsung said construction at the site was unaffected. It added it will do its "utmost to prevent any such incidents from recurring in the future."
Footage of the riot was filmed by witnesses and posted to YouTube, showing black smoke billowing from a large fire, and motorbikes torched.
Policemen were seen shielding themselves from rocks and bricks thrown at them by rioters.
The South Korean corporation last year began construction work on the multi-billion dollar hi-tech complex in its effort to expand operations in Vietnam, where labor cost is cheap.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Vietnamese service.
Thai Nguyen province People's Committee Chairman Duong Ngoc Long told VOA's Vietnamese service the violence erupted over a disagreement between workers and security guards at the construction site.
There are conflicting reports on the reason for the skirmish, including disagreements over safety protocols and a report that a worker was beaten by guards after he entered the site through a wrong door.
Long says an investigation has been launched.
"Those who were found responsible would be dealt with according to the law. We take this matter seriously in order to prevent something similar from happening in the future."
In a statement quoted by the Associated Press, Samsung said construction at the site was unaffected. It added it will do its "utmost to prevent any such incidents from recurring in the future."
Footage of the riot was filmed by witnesses and posted to YouTube, showing black smoke billowing from a large fire, and motorbikes torched.
Policemen were seen shielding themselves from rocks and bricks thrown at them by rioters.
The South Korean corporation last year began construction work on the multi-billion dollar hi-tech complex in its effort to expand operations in Vietnam, where labor cost is cheap.
This report was produced in collaboration with the VOA Vietnamese service.
