Many manholes in Ho Chi Minh City have been left without a cover, creating hidden death traps for local residents, especially when it rains.

Two deaths relating to missing manhole covers have been reported in southern Vietnamese provinces in the past week, sparking immense concern over the potential danger behind such carelessness in urban management.

Fatal accidents

On Wednesday evening, Nguyen Tan Truong, an 11-year-old student in Dong Nai Province, fell down a sewer on his way home after school.

The young boy’s body was found on Thursday night at a section of the Dong Nai River.

On September 20, 16-year-old Vu Thao Uyen in Binh Phuoc Province accidently walked onto a manhole without cover during a heavy downpour. Her body was discovered a day later about 500 meters from the scene of the accident.

People in Ho Chi Minh City have become more concerned than ever given the unattended cover-missing manholes lying across their neighborhoods.

According to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters’ observation in District 9 and Thu Duc District, many deep sewers are not protected with any kind of cover.

Huynh Thi Thanh, a resident on Le Van Viet Street, District 9, said that recent rains have caused water under the sewers to push the covers aside, revealing a large space at their entrance.

“Some manholes are located near bus stops, which pose high risks for commuters. Authorities should promptly deal with the problem for safety reasons,” Thanh stated.

Locals put a stick at a sewer entrance to warn others of the danger.

These death traps are also very common near the Thu Duc Market, where flooding often occurs whenever it rains heavily.

When the streets are inundated, local residents have to put warning signs at these drains so that others are aware of the danger.

A road leading to the dormitory of the Vietnam National University- Ho Chi Minh City in Thu Duc and some streets in Binh Thanh District are also filled with these open sewers.

A manhole cover has been put aside on le Van Viet Street, District 9.

Pending reports

Bui Van Truong, an official from the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Drainage Company, stated that the firm had examined and repaired all broken and missing manhole covers in neighborhoods under its management prior to the rainy season.

“Regular inspections have also been carried out during the rainy period to fix emerging issues to ensure safety for local people,” Truong continued.

According to a representative from the municipal Department of Transport, several documents have been sent to developers of the sewer and drainage system in the city, requiring frequent examinations and maintenance of the structures.

The transport department is waiting for reports of these units to determine specific solutions of the problem, the representative stated.

Makeshift warning sign is created by local residents at a manhole on Man Thien Street, District 9.

This open sewer poses serious danger to commuters, especially when it rains.

This open sewer poses serious danger to commuters, especially when it rains.

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