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On the afternoon of September 13, the army and police began searching for victims of the large-scale collapse of Phong Chau Bridge on the Red River, after many days of interruption due to high waves.
On the afternoon of September 13, the sky cleared up after many days of heavy rain. Authorities began driving canoes to search for eight missing victims after the collapse of Phong Chau bridge connecting Tam Nong and Lam Thao districts.
This was the first large-scale search operation, with the participation of more than 30 police officers and soldiers. Previously, due to the high and fast-flowing water of the Red River, authorities were unable to carry out rescue operations.
Currently, the water level on the Red River at Phong Chau bridge area has dropped below alert level one.
The search area for the victims was expanded from the upstream of Phong Chau bridge to the end of Ha Hoa district, stretching for dozens of kilometers.
In addition to using detection equipment and carefully observing the middle of the river, the army also drove boats close to the river's edge, in case any victims were drifting away.
On shore, military forces went to every corner to survey and search for missing victims.
A part of the bridge span washed ashore in Huong Non commune, Ha Hoa district. Police and prosecutors came to inspect and assess the situation to come up with a salvage plan.
According to authorities, this afternoon, divers were sent to the scene, intending to dive down to search for victims below the sunken bridge. However, after assessing the terrain, the currents were still complicated, so divers temporarily did not carry out rescue work, waiting for the waves to calm down.
Police force drove the boat slowly, searching under Phong Chau bridge.
Police also informed fishermen on the Red River that if they discover any suspicious details, they should immediately report them to the authorities.
The search for the victims ended late in the afternoon, and authorities have not yet released specific information about the results. The forces are expected to continue working tomorrow.
Local people actively cooperate with authorities and immediately report any unusual signs on the water surface.
At the forward command post, Mr. Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice Chairman of Tam Nong District, continuously discussed with the forces about the search plan. According to Mr. Hung, since the bridge collapse on September 9, this is the largest rescue operation with the participation of many forces.
Relatives of the victims are on duty at the command center, waiting for information from the rescue team.
At the vacant lot downstream of Huong Non commune, about one kilometer from Phong Chau bridge, the 249th River Crossing Engineer Brigade has brought many vehicles and equipment to prepare for the installation of the pontoon bridge.
According to Vice Chairman of the district Nguyen Manh Hung, the installation of the pontoon bridge depends on the flow. If the weather and flow are favorable, the installation time will only be 3-4 hours.
Phong Chau Bridge crosses the Red River, connecting Lam Thao and Tam Nong districts of Phu Tho province, and has been in operation since 1995. The bridge is 375 m long, consisting of 8 spans, the outer spans are prestressed reinforced concrete beams, the main spans are made of steel truss structure, and the bridge piers are made of reinforced concrete.
Phu Tho province's report said there were 10 vehicles traveling on the bridge, including 3 cars, 6 motorbikes, and an electric motorbike, that fell into the river when the bridge collapsed. 3 people were rescued, 8 people are missing.
People from Lam Thao, Tam Nong, Thanh Thuy, Thanh Son, Yen Lap normally only need to cross Phong Chau bridge to Viet Tri city in 15-20 km, but now that the bridge has collapsed, they have to take a longer detour, about 50-60 km.
Phong Chau bridge location.
