At least 10 missing as vehicles fall into river after bridge collapse in Vietnam: policeman
Monday, September 09, 2024, 21:02 GMT+7
At least ten people have gone missing after their vehicles fell into the Red River when a bridge in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam collapsed on Monday morning, a police officer said the same day.
At 3:00 pm on Monday, Colonel Nguyen Minh Tuan, director of the Phu Tho Department of Public Security, reported that there were two trucks and four cars, along with an unspecified number of motorbikes, on the Phong Chau Bridge when the accident occurred.
The bridge, inaugurated in 1995, spans the Red River, connecting the Lam Thao and Tam Nong Districts in Phu Tho Province.
Dashcam footage from a car that narrowly escaped the Phong Chau Bridge collapse in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024.
“The six trucks and cars would have six drivers, plus five people on motorbikes and electric bicycles,” Colonel Tuan stated.
“Our initial assessment indicates that there are at least 10 people missing, not including the passengers in the cars.
“However, we cannot confirm the exact number at this time.”
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| A span is left after two main spans of the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre |
In an earlier interview with state broadcaster VTV, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc mentioned that approximately 10 vehicles and 13 people were initially reported missing, though he noted that this number is still an estimate and may not be accurate.
By 1:00 pm, three people had been rescued and rushed to Tam Nong Medical Center in Tam Nong District.
As of 4:00 pm, the army has set up makeshift tents at the site of the Phong Chau Bridge collapse in Phu Tho Province.
Over 300 officers and soldiers are actively searching for victims, according to VnExpress.
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| Two victims are hospitalized after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Duong Lieu / Tuoi Tre |
A preliminary report from the Phu Tho Department of Transport indicated that the collapse was triggered by typhoon Yagi, which has caused flooding across northern Vietnam since Saturday.
The rising water levels of the Red River damaged the T7 pillar, leading to the collapse of two main spans of the bridge.
The incident occurred at 10:02 am on Monday.
Local police are urging residents near the bridge to provide any footage or images of those involved in the accident, as there were no cameras on the bridge itself.
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| A man falls into the bridge pier and survives after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tung Dinh / Tuoi Tre |
The Phong Chau Bridge underwent repairs in 2013, 2019, and 2023.
The Phu Tho Department of Transport reported that a 2019 inspection indicated there was no need to impose weight restrictions on the bridge.
In August 2022, Phu Tho Province proposed that the Ministry of Transport consider upgrading or replacing the Phong Chau Bridge.
However, due to limited public investment funds, priority has been given to other key and urgent projects.
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| A span is left after two main spans of the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Giang Long / Tuoi Tre |
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| A span is left after two main spans of the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre |
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| A main span is stuck in the Red River after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre |
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| A main span is stuck in the Red River after the Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, September 9, 2024. Photo: Tran Quy / Tuoi Tre |
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