Thai Ly Hao Nam, 10, who fell into a 35-meter-deep hollow concrete pile in Dong Thap Province, southern Vietnam last Saturday, was pronounced dead by local authorities on Wednesday night.

The boy, residing in Phu Loi Commune, Thanh Binh District, fell into the concrete pillar, which is planted some 35 meters into the ground and has a diameter of 25 centimeters, at the construction site of the Roc Sen Bridge project in the commune at noon on Saturday.

At the scene of the incident, vice-chairman of the Dong Thap People’s Committee Doan Tan Buu said the pronouncement was made as forensics and medical experts and local authorities assessed that Nam had been in the deep hollow concrete pillar for over four days.

“Given the long rescue time and the boy’s possible injuries, his condition had been forecast to be bad on previous days,” Buu said. 

Rescuers will now strive to recover his body at the earliest possible time, while local authorities will support his family in preparing a funeral for him. 

Rescue forces will try to pull out the concrete pile after consulting experts as well as local and foreign units over the solution, Buu added.

The scene of the incident was blocked within a radius of 500 meters to facilitate the rescue work.

Explaining why the concrete pillar has yet to be pulled out of the ground, Buu said as the concrete pile is planted some 35 meters into the ground, the compression ratio of soil is huge.

“Despite having consulted many experts, we must ensure safety [during the rescue process], so the job will finish later than expected,” Buu explained.

Who will shoulder responsibility?

Regarding the responsibility of those relating to the incident, Buu said it will be handled in line with the law. Once work on the [Roc Sen Bridge] project continues, its safety must be a top priority.

Lawyer Nguyen Ngo Quang Nhat from the Ho Chi Minh Bar Association said during the execution of projects, contractors must arrange temporary warning and fencing systems at the construction sites and take measures to ensure smooth and safe traffic around the projects.

According to lawyer Nhat, the contractor of the Roc Sen Bridge project must bear the main responsibility for the incident of Nam.

However, an investigation should be launched to clarify the accountability of other related units.

Meanwhile, lawyer Truong Anh Tu from the Hanoi Bar Association said that over the past few years, many accidents have happened at construction sites due to the carelessness of some individuals and units in management.

The tragic accident in Dong Thap has rung a bell of alarm over safety in construction.

“We need to launch campaigns to popularize the prevention of labor accidents so that investors, engineers, workers, and residents living near construction sites can suggest solutions for preventing similar tragic incidents,” Tu noted.

Many local residents agreed that during the execution of the bridge project, the contractor stretched a warning stripe around the construction site but did it with little care.

“As the construction site is close to a road and rice fields of locals, some residents sometimes enter the site. I cannot imagine how the children could reach such a dangerous place,” said H.N., a local man.

Buu said that the investor of the project had reminded the contractor to install warning equipment and erect a fence around the construction site.

“This is an unintentional accident. However, the contractor must assume the responsibility for this accident," he said.

A leader of Dong Thap Province on Tuesday admitted to Tuoi Tre that the province had initially been confused about its plan to save the boy.

Due to the hard job, the province employed other solutions and asked for help from the Military Region 9, ministries, and agencies.

Although the incident is rare and unprecedented, the province must get lessons in rescue missions.

It will investigate the responsibility of the investor and the contractor of the project.

On Saturday last week, Nam and three friends came to the Roc Sen Bridge construction site in Phu Loi Commune to pick up scrap iron and he fell into the hollow concrete pile by accident.

Some witnesses said that the boy cried for help for some ten minutes after falling into the concrete pile.

Since then, some 350 people, including military officers from the Military Region 9, and numerous vehicles and equipment have been mobilized to save him.

Despite strong efforts, rescuers have faced multiple difficulties and failed to save the boy.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!