Bridge collapse in Phu Tho: 17 years old, 1 person escaped by being stuck in the soil

On the morning of September 9, many people participating in traffic on Phong Chau Bridge (Phu Tho) said that at about 10 o'clock, on the same day, suddenly the bridge collapsed, many people fell into the river.

"At the time of the collapse, the water bridge was flowing rapidly. Half of the bridge on the other side (Tam Nong district) collapsed, many motorcyclists and cars fell down, I heard boos afterwards, only some people were lucky to escape," said Mr. Nguyen Hong V., who stood on the side of the bridge in Lam Thao district. Vice Chairman of Tam Nong district Nguyen Manh Hung said that Phong Chau Bridge has a steel structure and has now collapsed 2 spans, drifting into the riverbed.

It is known that currently the functional forces are present, urgently working on rescue and overcoming the consequences. According to local people, during the collapse of Phong Chau Bridge, this young man was lucky to fall into the mound of soil where the water had not yet risen.

Regarding the incident, Mr. Quach Hai Ly - Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Nong district (Phu Tho) confirmed that the incident occurred at about 10 am. Currently, he is directly present at the scene, coordinating with the authorities to direct the rescue and remediation work. Mr. Ngo Duc Sau, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Lam Thao district (Phu Tho), said that Phong Chau Bridge collapsed in complicated weather conditions, the river water rose.

Phong Chau Bridge is located on National Highway 32C connecting Lam Thao district with Tam Nong district (Phu Tho) has been in use for more than 17 years.

Since 2013, the bridge has been included in the list of weak bridges by the traffic industry because the traffic of vehicles participating in traffic is increasing, trucks carrying goods, carrying materials, and passing back and forth, causing the bridge to deteriorate seriously.

It is known that in the face of the weak Phong Chau Bridge, the Department of Transport has put up a sign limiting vehicle load (only allowing cars with a load of less than 24 tons to circulate through the bridge), implementing a remote channeling plan to reduce the load of vehicles with large tonnage through the bridge and setting up checkpoints. At the bridgehead of Lam Thao district, the traffic inspection force of the Department of Transport, maintains on duty to inspect and handle violations 3 shifts/day.

Phong Chau Bridge is a bridge across the Red River on National Highway 32C, connecting Lam Thao and Tam Nong districts in Phu Tho province, Vietnam. The bridge has a route at Km 18 300 National Highway 32C, connecting Phung Nguyen commune, Lam Thao district with Van Xuan commune, Tam Nong district. The bridge is built with a steel structure, with a length of nearly 380m. The project was inaugurated on July 28, 1995.

In 2013, Phong Chau Bridge was repaired. In September 2019, Phu Tho issued an order to prohibit vehicles with a tonnage of 18 tons or more from passing through this bridge.

Mr. Trieu Ngoc Thu (witness) said: " At about 10 o'clock this morning, I had to cross Phong Chau Bridge. When I approached the bridge, there were about 3 more cars in front of my car. At this time, the bridge shook and broke and fell into the river. The incident happened very quickly, in just about 1 minute the bridge collapsed and the river water was swept away."

According to district leaders, the damage to people and property has not yet been determined. Due to the fast flowing water, the functional forces are taking emergency measures for search and rescue.

Some people moving across the bridge lost their minds recounting the moment they narrowly escaped death.

Ms. Thieu Thi Hoa (Van Xuan commune, Tam Nong district, Phu Tho province) said that after crossing the bridge for several tens of meters, the bridge collapsed, causing many people to fall into the river, swept into the water.

"This morning I went to Lam Thao to go to the market. As soon as I passed by, I heard a rumbling sound, and when I turned around, I saw that the bridge had collapsed. There were motorcycles, trucks, cars, all of which fell and were quickly swept away. The river water flows too loudly and swirls. At that time, I was so scared that I stopped the car and sat flat on the side of the road because I narrowly escaped death. I don't remember exactly, but it was around 9:30 a.m. Now I don't have any hammers anymore, I find a way to go home, my ancestors bless me through the tribulation," Ms. Hoa said.

Many people also walked on Phong Chau Bridge this morning and were lucky to escape death in a narrow way, now their limbs are still trembling because they are too scared.

Mr. Luu Trung Son (Van Xuan commune, Tam Nong district) also said that he was sitting drinking water at the head of the bridge when he heard a rumbling sound. After everyone breathed, they saw that the bridge had collapsed.

"I don't remember when this bridge was built. I work as a taxi driver, so I move here every day. Looking at this scene, I was too scared because I was going to go to Viet Tri city to pick up guests, but hesitated to linger at the bridgehead for a few minutes to take advantage of a glass of water. If I don't know if I leave early, will I be among the unfortunate people who fell into the river," Mr. Son said in shock.