Bridge collapse update: First five rescued, search operations underway
VOV.VN - Search and rescue operations have been intensified at the site of a bridge collapse in Vietnam’s northern midland Phu Tho province to search for the remaining victims after the first five were rescued.
According to initial information, there were nine people on five cars and four motorcycles falling into the Red River when two spans of the Phong Chau bridge collapsed on September 9.
Soldiers and police officers were deployed to assist with the search and rescue operations, hoping to find survivors.
According to the Department of Dike Management and Flood and Storm Prevention, rescue forces rescued and took five injured individuals to medical facilities for treatment.
The forces are now combing through large areas surrounding the site to find others. However, violent floodwaters are hampering the search.
Making a field trip to the site, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc encouraged rescue workers to race against time to search for others.
At a meeting later with leaders of relevant ministries and Phu Tho province, experts said Typhoon Yagi caused heavy rain, prompting water levels of the Red River to rise quickly. The violent current altered the riverbed’s terrain, leading to the collapse of pillar T7 and the failure of two main spans (spans 6 and 7) of the bridge.
To address the incident, Deputy PM Phoc tasked Military Region 2 under the Ministry of Defense with putting up a pontoon bridge as quickly and efficiently as possible to ensure traffic flows.
